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Topic

Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Indigenous Peoples: A Scoping Review of Studies from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States

Department of Psychology

Date & location

• Friday, August 15, 2025

• 9:30 A.M.

• Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Emily Haigh, Department of Psychology, ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ (Supervisor)

• Dr. Catherine Costigan, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Fred Chou, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, UVic 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Ian McKechnie, Department of Anthropology, UVic 

Abstract

The historical and contemporary impacts of colonialism results in significant mental health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard approach to mainstream psychological intervention; however, limited research has explored its compatibility with Indigenous populations. CBT was primarily developed and refined within a Western cultural framework which may not align with Indigenous Peoples’ approach to health and healing. Cultural adaptation of CBT may help bridge this gap by aligning the therapy with Indigenous cultural values and beliefs. A scoping review of evaluated culturally adapted CBT interventions for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States was conducted. In total, 31 studies were identified which included an evaluation of a culturally adapted CBT. Studies included various Indigenous groups, methods of adaptation, treatment areas, settings, levels of specificity, and levels of adaptation. Most interventions were adapted at a low to moderate level of specificity. Further, the most common levels of adaptation were surface level changes with fewer making deep level adaptations. Overall, most interventions generated a reduction in symptoms as well as acceptability and participant satisfaction. Methodological heterogeneity between studies as well as limitations within studies prevents drawing conclusions of which adaptation methods increased efficacy and/or acceptability.