Culturally Sensitive Adaptations to Evidence-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Paper

• Published in: Cognitive and behavioral practice Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 459 - 471
• Main Authors: Graham-LoPresti, Jessica R., Gautier, Speshal Walker, Sorenson, Shannon, Hayes-Skelton, Sarah A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2017
• Subjects: CBT; cultural sensitivity; discrimination; social anxiety; cultural sensitivity; discrimination; CBT; social anxiety
• ISSN: 1077-7229; 1878-187X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2016.12.003

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT), which involves restructuring maladaptive thoughts and exposures in social contexts in a group format, is an empirically supported treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, research on applying these skills to experiences of discrimination that may contribute to social anxiety in marginalized populations is limited. A case description is presented to demonstrate the ways in which culturally sensitive adaptations of CBGT were applied to treat social anxiety related to issues of discrimination. The case example includes outcome data from one individual diagnosed with SAD who experienced clinical improvement in symptoms of SAD after receiving CBGT as a part of a larger treatment trial for SAD. Specifically, this paper focuses on the way in which SAD manifested for a Latina woman based on a history, and current context of race-based and gender-based discrimination. We present strategies to address SAD related to experiences of discrimination within the context of CBGT as well as clinical implications related to the integration of multicultural principles and traditional cognitive behavioral therapies for SAD more generally. •Dearth of literature applying CBT for social anxiety related to issues of discrimination.•Culturally sensitive adaptations of CBGT applied to treat social anxiety.•Integration of multicultural principles and traditional cognitive behavioral therapies for SAD.