CREACIÓN DE MODELOS DE TERAPIA FAMILIAR RESPONSABLE CULTURALMENTE E INVESTIGACIÓN

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Journal of Marital and Family Therapy doi: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2011.00282.x January 2013, Vol. 39, No. 1, 28–42

CREATING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE FAMILY THERAPY MODELS AND RESEARCH: INTRODUCING THE USE OF RESPONSIVE EVALUATION AS A METHOD Desiree M. Seponski University of Houston-Clear Lake

J. Maria Bermudez and Denise C. Lewis University of Georgia

Models of marriage and family therapy (MFT) typically reflect Western values and norms, and although cultural adaptations are made, many models ⁄ frameworks continue to be inappropriate or inadequate for use with non-Western cultures. Worldwide, therapists are examining ways of using MFT models in a culturally sensitive manner, especially when working with clients who are seen as having minority status or perceived as ‘‘other’’ by the dominant group. This essay suggests the use of responsive evaluation as a theoretically consistent methodology for creating and evaluating culturally responsive therapies. This approach rigorously evaluates each unique client ⁄ therapist context, culture, power, needs, and beliefs. We describe responsive evaluation and discuss how each component addresses the research needs of examining culturally responsive family therapies. A case illustration is offered delineating the process of conducting culturally responsive therapy with a Cambodian sample using solution-focused and narrative therapy. The field of marriage and family therapy (MFT) has made important strides toward applying cultural sensitivity when working with minority populations. However, serious challenges remain with developing culturally responsive models of therapies. Many interventionists adapt preexisting models rather than develop a model that is designed to be theoretically and technically responsive to the needs unique to a certain population. This is primarily because of a lack of awareness, resources, or adequate methods for creating culturally responsive models. Turner, Wieling, & Allen (2004) note that it is challenging but necessary to test an entire model or to create an emerging model based on the needs of the unique population. We offer a framework for developing culturally responsive therapy (CRT) and research using responsive evaluation (RE) to assess or create a particular approach. Responsive evaluation is an interpretive methodology that ‘‘builds upon the experiential, personal knowing in real space and real time with real people’’ (Stake, 2004, p. xv). The interpretivist worldview allows the researcher to responsively focus on the issues that are of priority to the stakeholders and practitioners to develop a rich experiential understanding and provide information for improvement (Denzin & Lincoln, 1994). The foci are on the person’s experiences and views of the therapy and on the value of the therapy to that unique group. Coincidently, these foci also are consistent with CRT, as RE privileges the particular needs of a given population, is flexible to the unique needs of participants, and relies on insider knowledge. It also is accountable to the community and works directly to improve the client’s context (Carlson, Erickson, McGeorge, & Bermudez, 2004) as well as assess the lives of participants from a strength-based perspective (Bermu´dez, Zak-Hunter, & Silva, 2011). Integration of these two approaches, RE and CRT are compatible (see Table 1) and RE offer scholars and therapists a rigorous method for evaluating and conducting responsive intervention (see Table 2). The following provides an overview of RE and describes how each component addresses the research needs for examining culturally responsive family therapies. Desiree M. Seponski, PhD, Family Therapy Program, University of Houston-Clear Lake, J. Maria Bermudez, PhD, and Denise C. Lewis, PhD, Department of Child and Family Development, University of Georgia. Address correspondence to Desiree M. Seponski, Family Therapy Program, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77058; E-mails: seponski@uhcl.edu, dmpaulin@fulbrightmail.org

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JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY

January 2013


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