Psychotherapists’ outcomes with White and racial/ethnic minority clients: First, the good news.

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to (a) investigate whether psychotherapists differ in their effectiveness with clients, (b) determine whether disparities exist within therapists' caseloads in their outcomes with White and racial and ethnic minority (REM) clients, (c) explore therapist factors that might contribute to observed therapist effects, and (d) identify whether treatment outcomes varied for REM and White clients. A sample of 3,825 clients seen by 251 therapists at 45 college counseling centers completed the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms at the beginning and end of individual psychotherapy. Therapists differed in their effectiveness at reducing general distress across clients, and evidence was found for disparities within therapists' caseloads in their effectiveness with REM and White clients. Effect sizes were small. Disparities within therapists' caseloads were not a function of any therapist variable that was studied. Therapy outcomes were similar for White and REM clients. Therapist multicultural competence can, and should, be considered in terms of measurable outcomes across client racial/ethnic groups. It is possible to identify multiculturally expert therapists who evidence competence with both REM and White clients and who might serve as models from whom the field could learn.

Cross-Ethnic Measurement Equivalence of the Children’s Depression Inventory Among Youth in Foster Care

“…Given the finding that the CDI may not be an appropriate measure of depression in ethnic-racial minority youth in foster care, multicultural considerations must be made in the assessment and treatment of depression in these groups (Wherry, 2018). Continued encouragement of the development of MCs in therapists is critical, given the association between MCs and client outcomes (Hayes, McAleavey, Castonguay, & Locke, 2016). Furthermore, the cultural implications of the foster care experience should not be ignored.…”

Inter- and intra-group differences in psychological concerns among international students

“…Locke et al, 2011;McAleavey et al, 2012). Since its psychometric development, the CCAPS has been used in an array of studies, including explorations of therapist effectiveness with racial and ethnic minorities (Hayes, McAleavey, Castonguay, & Locke, 2016) and distress among transgender college students (Effrig, Bieschke, & Locke, 2011). Cross-cultural validation of the CCAPS-62 has been undertaken in some cases, including a Thai version (Ratanasiripong et al, 2015).…”

Cultural adaptations and therapist multicultural competence: Two meta‐analytic reviews

“…Therapist effectiveness can differ across client race or ethnicity (Hayes, Owen, & Bieschke, ). Demonstrable improvement of culturally diverse clientele provides evidence of therapist cultural competence (Hayes et al, ).…”

“…Our findings show that among clients of color, their perceptions of a therapist's ability to successfully work with culture is moderately associated with their outcomes in treatment, yet these findings are susceptible to strong halo effects, wherein clients globally view therapists positively when therapy goes well. Nevertheless, individual therapist variability of client outcomes between diverse and White clients suggests the importance of cultural competencies as they pertain to improved outcomes among clients of color (Hayes et al, , ; Imel et al, ). Given these findings, we urge the field to consider the following research‐supported practices.…”