Psychotherapy Research with Ethnic Minorities

There is an increasing demand for psychotherapy among ethnic minority populations. Yet, there is not adequate evidence that empirically supported therapies (ESTs) are effective with ethnic minorities. Ethical guidelines suggest that psychotherapies be modified to become culturally appropriate for ethnic minority persons. Conceptual approaches have identified interdependence, spirituality, and discrimination as considerations for culturally sensitive therapy (CST). However, there is no more empirical support for the efficacy of CSTs than there is for the efficacy of ESTs with ethnic minority populations. The chasm between EST and CST research is a function of differences between methods and researchers in these 2 traditions. Specific recommendations for research collaboration between CST and EST researchers are offered. There is a need for psychotherapies for ethnic minority populations that are both empirically supported and culturally sensitive. One impetus for this demand is scientific. Inclusion of ethnic minority populations may help determine the external validity of psychotherapy research ( Hohmann & Parron, 1996; S. Sue, 1999). Psychotherapy efficacy should be investigated with ethnic minority groups t