Cultural Incommensurability in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Western and Japanese Traditions

Abstract

Various forms of misunderstanding and culturally ignorant practices were found in the treatment of eight Japanese clients by these Western therapists. These ineffective and often harmful practices were unrecognized by the Western therapists.

Symptom manifestations and expressions among Korean immigrant women suffering with depression

“…Sometimes participants spoke metaphorically, indirectly revealing intended meanings. While this may not be unique to Korean culture, such communication approaches are a cultural practice of confirming shared meanings of highly structured social norms and may be psychological buffers to avoid offending others (Kozuki & Kennedy 2004). Different cultures have different idioms and metaphors for depression (Kim 2002).…”

Relational experiences of partnered Japanese immigrant women with affect disorders

“…Meanings of experiences, including interpersonal experiences, exist only within these grounded structures. Therefore, misunderstanding of one another in intercultural partnerships can be understood beyond misunderstanding communication, through the concept of incommensurability (Kozuki & Kennedy 2004).…”

“…Japanese-Americans, the focus of this aggregated case study, make up approximately 10% of the Asian-American population (1 million, about 0AE4% of the USA population, 2000). Little is known about the impact of immigration on this ethnic group (especially women), whose original culture, including communication styles and conceptualization of mental illness sharply differs from the mainstream culture of the USA (Funahashi et al 2000, Young 2003, Kozuki & Kennedy 2004, Radford 2004.…”

Psychopathology as Social Construction: The Case of Anorexia Nervosa

“…According to this model, a therapist should develop the ability to (a) identify the cultural gaps between him-or herself and each specific patient, (b) shift between his or her own cultural model and the one of the patient, and (c) accommodate for those blind spots. Cultural incommensurability between therapists and patients may be inadequate and even harmful (Kozuki & Kennedy, 2004). For this reason, the ability to accommodate cultural differences is an important prerequisite clinicians should possess.…”