| This exploratory study examined, through the lens of East Asian therapists, how culture, diversity, and multicultural issues intersect when treating East Asian clients, so that mental health professionals may be provided with increased knowledge and insight in working with this population. Ten East Asian mental health professionals, experienced in the field of psychotherapy and having treated East Asian clients in the past five years, participated in interviews surveying their experiences working with such clients. A qualitative analysis of the participants' interviews was completed using a grounded theory approach (Corbin & Strauss, 2014). Results from this study revealed themes consistent with the currently available literature, such as the impact of stigma on help-seeking behaviors and the therapy process, adoption of a family/systems-oriented framework, interaction of therapist and client acculturation, benefits of ethnic match and shared culture in treatment, difficulties in ethnically matched pairs, and limitations of diversity-related and multicultural training. Results also indicated additional themes positively and negatively impacting the therapeutic process which expanded upon the current knowledge. These included elements related to language proficiency, therapist identity, physical appearance, therapist and client level of acculturation, countertransference, generational differences, introspection and consultation, power and privilege, shame, and a greater emphasis on family dynamics/systems. The current study revealed notable gaps in the East Asian mental health literature linked to specific therapeutic interventions and treatment modifications, and organizational barriers between access and service delivery for this population. Implications for future research and cross-racial treatment included efficacy of modified treatment interventions, inclusion of more diversity-related courses and faculty of color in clinician training, clinical interventions, and language proficiency. Additional implications included developing updated policies on culturally competent care, advocacy and resources; strategies to address myths and stereotypes and encourage a holistic approach to mental health; and resources to attract more bilingual East Asian clinicians. |
