37 - CULTURALLY ADAPTIVE CBT FOR GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE: EXPANDING PSYCHOLOGICAL FRONTIERS

Session: D06S012 - Culture and Psychological Processes 1
AUTHORS:
Williams Natasha (N.S. Williams Psychology Professional Corporation ~ Toronto ~ Canada)
Abstract text:
As applied psychology evolves, there is increasing recognition that traditional therapeutic models must be adapted to meet the diverse needs of global populations. Culturally Adaptive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CA-CBT) has emerged in Canada as a promising approach for addressing mental health disparities among Black populations by integrating racial identity, intergenerational trauma, and culturally relevant coping strategies into CBT. This presentation will explore how CA-CBT can inform global mental health practice, particularly in regions where Black communities and other racially marginalized groups face systemic barriers to care. By bridging cultural competence with evidence-based interventions, CA-CBT represents a new direction in applied psychology, expanding the frontiers of mental health treatment beyond Eurocentric paradigms. Research findings and clinical applications will illustrate the model's effectiveness, adaptability, and potential for implementation worldwide. This session will highlight how psychology must evolve to meet the demands of an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.