Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia A Family-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Approach, Clinician Guide

Approximately one percent of adults in the United States will be diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). While traditional family therapies have shown increasing efficacy in reducing relapse rates and improving mental health for this population, there is a rising need for improved clinical training to meet the needs of unique and culturally diverse clients in an efficient, skillful, and culturally relevant manner.

Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia: Clinician Guide is designed for clinicians and researchers looking to implement empirically supported, culturally responsible treatment for clients diagnosed with schizophrenia and other SSDs. CIT-S is a 15-week program that integrates components of family therapy with a cognitive behavioral approach for managing schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The intervention draws upon clients' cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions to help them conceptualize and manage mental illness. CIT-S contains five distinct modules on the following topics: family collectivism, psychoeducation, spirituality, communication training, and problem solving. Each module includes background information, therapy instructions, homework assignments, and case vignettes for ease of access. Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia considers patients' cultural norms while addressing the challenges of mental illness within the family structure. This guide is a must-have for practitioners and students alike looking to provide highly individualized and culturally competent treatment across a range of presentations.

Amy Weisman de Mamani is a Professor at the University of Miami and a licensed Clinical Psychologist.

Merranda McLaughlin, Olivia Altamirano, Daisy Lopez, and Salman Shaheen Ahmad are Predoctoral Clinical Psychology graduate students, working under the guidance of Dr. Amy Weisman de Mamani.