Poster - Cultural competence in CBT: Does training improve therapist knowledge, skills, and confidence?

Kunorubwe, Taf ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5624-5299 and Switzer, Fiona 2025. Poster - Cultural competence in CBT: Does training improve therapist knowledge, skills, and confidence? Presented at: European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) Conference, Glasgow, UK, 05 September 2025.

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Abstract

Introduction: The effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addressing mental health conditions is well-documented; however, disparities in access and outcomes persist, particularly among clients from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. These disparities underscore the need for culturally competent therapy that is responsive to the unique needs of individuals from varied communities (Kunorubwe et al., 2024). Cultural competence has become a core skill for therapists, yet training opportunities within CBT programs and Continuing Professional Development remain limited. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the impact of a one-day cultural competence training workshop for CBT therapists. The training was designed to enhance participants’ cultural sensitivity, knowledge of diverse client needs, and the application of culturally appropriate CBT techniques. Method: Sixteen participants completed both pre- and post-training assessments using the Enhanced Measure of Cultural Competence-14 (EMCC-14; Pedrero, 2020), an instrument that evaluates sensitivity to biases, cultural knowledge, and practical skills. Results: The training program received positive feedback, with an average rating of 9.75 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents "Very Poor" and 10 represents "Very Good." Participants showed an increase in cultural competence scores based on the EMCC-14. The paired samples t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in scores from pre-training to post-training (t(15) = -5.47, p < 0.001). The effect size, calculated using Cohen’s d, was -1.37 (95% CI: -2.05 to -0.67), indicating a large and meaningful effect of the intervention on participants’ cultural competence. Discussion: While promising, this pilot study underscores the need for larger-scale evaluations with follow-up assessments to examine the long-term impact of the training and its translation into improved client care and therapy outcomes. This study contributes to the growing recognition that robust, high-quality cultural competence training is integral to delivering inclusive mental health care and ensuring equitable outcomes for clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 September 2025
Date of Acceptance:	5 September 2025
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2025 13:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180953

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