UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Challenging core cultural beliefs and maintaining the therapeutic alliance: A qualitative study

Yon, K; Malik, R; Mandin, P; Midgley, N; (2018) Challenging core cultural beliefs and maintaining the therapeutic alliance: A qualitative study. Journal of Family Therapy , 40 (2) pp. 180-200. 10.1111/1467-6427.12158. Green open access

[thumbnail of Midgley_challenging core cultural beliefs_.pdf]
Preview
Text
Midgley_challenging core cultural beliefs_.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (315kB) | Preview

Abstract

Engaging black and minority-ethnic (BME) individuals in therapy and maintaining a positive therapeutic alliance can be a complex task, especially when challenging a family's core belief system. This study examines how therapists working within a specialist cultural service in London, UK were able to question a family's core cultural belief system whilst building and maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance. Video-assisted semi-structured interviews were carried out with two family members and their two therapists, and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that core beliefs can be effectively challenged within the context of a strong therapeutic alliance if topics are approached in a sensitive and respectful manner, by trusted therapists who have a degree of knowledge and awareness of their own cultural positioning, as well as an understanding of their clients' culture. We propose that engaging with culture in this way can strengthen alliance and facilitate positive change. Practitioner points: Core cultural belief systems can be effectively challenged by therapists within the context of a positive therapeutic alliance Topics need to be approached sensitively with a degree of authenticity, curiosity and respect Respectfully challenging core beliefs while being aware of one's own cultural construction and positioning, can strengthen the therapeutic alliance and promote positive change.

Type: Article
Title: Challenging core cultural beliefs and maintaining the therapeutic alliance: A qualitative study
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/1467-6427.12158
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12158
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Culture; therapeutic alliance; family belief; qualitative research; black and minority-ethnic client groups
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1569853
Downloads since deposit
1,275Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item