Skip to main content

Cultural Considerations in the Context of Establishing Rapport: A Contextual Behavioral View on Common Factors

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Cultural Factors in Behavioral Health

Abstract

Common factors have been a central topic in psychotherapy and behavioral health literature for many decades. Following the perspective of contextual behavioral science (CBS), this chapter will discuss common factors that are particularly relevant to cultural considerations in the context of rapport building. To do so, we will start with a literature review of common factors and cultural considerations, which is then followed by a brief summary of CBS and its key underlying assumptions, theories, and practices. Subsequently, we will elucidate how common factors and cultural considerations in the context of rapport building are conceptualized and synthesized using the CBS framework of behavioral health and behavior change. Finally, we will present practical examples of how principles derived from CBS may be applied to rapport building in practice.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahn, H.-n., & Wampold, B. E. (2001). Where oh where are the specific ingredients? A meta-analysis of component studies in counseling and psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48(3), 251–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, G. E. K., Cox, J., Smith, T. B., Hafoka, O., Griner, D., & Beecher, M. (2016). Psychotherapy utilization and presenting concerns among Polynesian American college students. The Counseling Psychologist, 44(1), 28–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, G. E. K., Kim, B. S. K., Smith, T. B., & Hafoka, O. (2016). Counseling attitudes and stigma among Polynesian Americans. The Counseling Psychologist, 44(1), 6–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Multicultural guidelines: An ecological approach to context, identity, and intersectionality. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/about/policy/multicultural-guidelines.pdf

  • Anderson, C. M., Hawkins, R. P., & Scotti, J. R. (1997). Private events in behavior analysis: Conceptual basis and clinical relevance. Behavior Therapy, 28(1), 157–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkins, P. W., Ciarrochi, J., Gaudiano, B. A., Bricker, J. B., Donald, J., Rovner, G., … Hayes, S. C. (2017). Departing from the essential features of a high quality systematic review of psychotherapy: A response to Öst (2014) and recommendations for improvement. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 97, 259–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, G., & Scharró-del-Río, M. R. (2001). Are empirically supported treatments valid for ethnic minorities? Toward an alternative approach for treatment research. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 7(4), 328–342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biglan, A., & Hayes, S. C. (1996). Should the behavioral sciences become more pragmatic? The case for functional contextualism in research on human behavior. Applied & Preventive Psychology, 5(1), 47–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, J. D. (1952). Common factors of the patient-therapist relationship in diverse psychotherapies. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 8(3), 302–306.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bordin, E. S. (1979). The generalizability of the psychoanalytic concept of the working alliance. Psychotherapy: Theory, research & practice, 16(3), 252–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budd, R., & Hughes, I. (2009). The Dodo Bird Verdict—Controversial, inevitable and important: A commentary on 30 years of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology and Practice: An International Journal of Theory and Practice, 16(6), 510–522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capstick, S., Norris, P., Sopoaga, F., & Tobata, W. (2009). Relationships between health and culture in Polynesia – A review. Social Science & Medicine, 68(7), 1341–1348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cloitre, M., Chase Stovall-McClough, K., Miranda, R., & Chemtob, C. M. (2004). Therapeutic alliance, negative mood regulation, and treatment outcome in child abuse-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(3), 411–416.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Connors, G. J., Carroll, K. M., DiClemente, C. C., Longabaugh, R., & Donovan, D. M. (1997). The therapeutic alliance and its relationship to alcoholism treatment participation and outcome. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 65(4), 588–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastaugh, S. R. (2004). Reducing litigation costs through better patient communication. Physician Executive, 30(3), 36–39.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, R., Bohart, A. C., Watson, J. C., & Greenberg, L. S. (2011). Empathy. Psychotherapy, 48(1), 43–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (1955). New approaches to psychotherapy techniques. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 11(3), 207–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, A. F., & Gunderson, J. G. (1990). The role of the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of schizophrenia: Relationship to course and outcome. Archives of General Psychiatry, 47(3), 228–236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hathaway, S. R. (1948). Some considerations relative to nondirective counseling as therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 4(3), 226–231.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C. (2005a). Eleven rules for a more successful clinical psychology. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61(9), 1055–1060.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C. (2005b). Get out of your mind and into your life: The new acceptance and commitment therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Contextual Behavioral Science: Creating a science more adequate to the challenge of the human condition. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 1, (1–2), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., & Brownstein, A. J. (1986). Mentalism, behavior-behavior relations, and a behavior-analytic view of the purposes of science. The Behavior Analyst, 9(2), 175–190.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Hayes, L. J., & Reese, H. W. (1988). Finding the philosophical core: A review of Stephen C. Pepper’s world hypotheses: A study in evidence. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 50, 97–111.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., & Hofmann, S. G. (Eds.). (2018). Process-based CBT: The science and core clinical competencies of cognitive behavioral therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Levin, M. E., Plumb-Vilardaga, J., Villatte, J. L., & Pistorello, J. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy and contextual behavioral science: Examining the progress of a distinctive model of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Behavior Therapy, 44(2), 180–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Long, D. M., Levin, M. E., & Follette, W. C. (2013). Treatment development: Can we find a better way? Clinical Psychology Review, 33(7), 870–882.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and commitment therapy: Model, processes and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Pistorello, J., & Levin, M. E. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy as a unified model of behavior change. The Counseling Psychologist, 40(7), 976–1002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., & Toarmino, D. (1995). If behavioral principles are generally applicable, why is it necessary to understand cultural diversity? The Behavior Therapist, 18, 21–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Villatte, M., Levin, M., & Hildebrandt, M. (2011). Open, aware, and active: Contextual approaches as an emerging trend in the behavioral and cognitive therapies. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 141–168.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., & Wilson, K. G. (1995). The role of cognition in complex human behavior: A contextualistic perspective. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 26(3), 241–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152–1168.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hays, P. A. (2008). Addressing cultural complexities in practice: Assessment, diagnosis, and therapy (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, J. D., Gaudiano, B. A., & Forman, E. M. (2013). The importance of theory in cognitive behavior therapy: A perspective of contextual behavioral science. Behavior Therapy, 44(4), 580–591.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horvath, A. O., & Symonds, B. D. (1991). Relation between working alliance and outcome in psychotherapy: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38(2), 139–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, S. (2018). The philosophy of science as it applies to clinical psychology. In S. C. Hayes & S. G. Hofmann (Eds.), Process-based CBT: The science and core clinical competencies of cognitive behavioral therapy (pp. 23–43). Oakland, CA: Context Press/New Harbinger Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 865–878.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Klepac, R. K., Ronan, G. F., Andrasik, F., Arnold, K. D., Belar, C. D., Berry, S. L., … Dowd, E. T. (2012). Guidelines for cognitive behavioral training within doctoral psychology programs in the United States: Report of the Inter-organizational Task Force on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology Doctoral Education. Behavior Therapy, 43(4), 687–697.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koerner, K. (2012). Doing dialectical behavior therapy: A practical guide. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlenberg, R. J., & Tsai, M. (2007). Functional analytic psychotherapy. In Functional analytic psychotherapy (pp. 169–188). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krupnick, J. L., Sotsky, S. M., Elkin, I., Simmens, S., Moyer, J., Watkins, J., & Pilkonis, P. A. (2006). The role of the therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy outcome: Findings in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. Focus, 64(2), 532–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lilienfeld, S. O. (2017). Microaggressions: strong claims, inadequate evidence. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(1), 138–169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luborsky, L., Rosenthal, R., Diguer, L., Andrusyna, T. P., Berman, J. S., Levitt, J. T., … Krause, E. D. (2002). The dodo bird verdict is alive and well—Mostly. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9(1), 2–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luborsky, L., Singer, B., & Luborsky, L. (1975). Comparative studies of psychotherapies: Is it true that everyone has won and all must have prizes? Archives of General Psychiatry, 32(8), 995–1008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luoma, J. B., Hayes, S. C., & Walser, R. D. (2017). Learning ACT: An acceptance and commitment therapy skills-training manual for therapists (2nd ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcus, D. K., O’Connell, D., Norris, A. L., & Sawaqdeh, A. (2014). Is the Dodo bird endangered in the 21st century? A meta-analysis of treatment comparison studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(7), 519–530.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (2010). Cultures and selves: A cycle of mutual constitution. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 420–430.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, A. (2014a). Psychotherapy in cultural context. In A. Masuda (Ed.), Mindfulness and acceptance in multicultural competency: A contextual approach to sociocultural diversity in theory and practice (pp. 39–55). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, A. (Ed.). (2014b). Mindfulness and acceptance in multicultural competency: A contextual approach to sociocultural diversity in theory and practice. Oakland, CA: Context Press/New Harbinger Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, A. (2016). Principle-based cultural adaptation of cognitive behavior therapies: A functional and contextual perspective as an example. Japanese Journal of Behavior Therapy, 42(1), 11–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, A. (in press). Adapting acceptance and commitment therapy to diverse cultures. In M. E. Levin, M. P. Twohig, & J. Krafft (Eds.), Recent innovation in ACT. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, A., & Rivzvi, S. L. (2019). Third wave cognitive behavioral based therapies. In S. B. Messer & N. J. Kaslow (Eds.), Essential psychotherapies: Theory and practice (4th ed.) (pp. 183-217). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mennin, D. S., Ellard, K. K., Fresco, D. M., & Gross, J. J. (2013). United we stand: Emphasizing commonalities across cognitive-behavioral therapies. Behavior Therapy, 44(2), 234–248.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mesiona Lee, W. K., & Look, M. A. (2017). Ho‘i Hou Ka Mauli Ola: Pathways to native Hawaiian health (Hawai‘inuiākea). Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mokuau, N. (1990). A family-centered approach in native Hawaiian culture. Families in Society, 71(10), 607–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2018). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 303–315.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Donohue, W., & Benuto, L. (2010). The many problems of cultural sensitivity. Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice, 7(2), 34–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plaut, V. C., Thomas, K. M., Hurd, K., & Romano, C. A. (2018). Do color blindness and multiculturalism remedy or foster discrimination and racism? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27(3), 200–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robins, C. J., Schmidt, H., III, & Linehan, M. M. (2004). Dialectical behavior therapy: Synthesizing radical acceptance with skillful means. In S. C. Hayes, V. M. Follette, & M. M. Linehan (Eds.), Mindfulness and acceptance: Expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition (pp. 30–44). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig, S. (1936). Some implicit common factors in diverse methods of psychotherapy. Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 6(3), 412–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. (1995). The effectiveness of psychotherapy: The consumer reports study. American Psychologist, 50(12), 965–974.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, D. A., & Shapiro, D. (1982). Meta-analysis of comparative therapy outcome studies: A replication and refinement. Psychological Bulletin, 92(3), 581–604.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shoben, E. J., Jr. (1949). Psychotherapy as a problem in learning theory. Psychological Bulletin, 46(5), 366–392.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. L., & Glass, G. V. (1977). Meta-analysis of psychotherapy outcome studies. American Psychologist, 32(9), 752–760.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, S., Zane, N., Hall, G. C. N., & Berger, L. K. (2009). The case for cultural competency in psychotherapeutic interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 525–548.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Twohig, M. P., Domenech Rodriguez, M. M., & Enno, A. M. (2014). Promoting the multicultural competency of psychological professionals though acceptance- and mindfulness-based methods. In A. Masuda (Ed.), Mindfulness and acceptance in multicultural competency: A contextual approach to sociocultural diversity in theory and practice (pp. 147–163). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wampold, B. E. (2015). How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update. World Psychiatry, 14(3), 270–277.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Weisz, J. R., Rothbaum, F. M., & Blackburn, T. C. (1984). Standing out and standing in: The psychology of control in America and Japan. American Psychologist, 39(9), 955–969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whaley, A. L., & Davis, K. E. (2007). Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health services: A complementary perspective. American Psychologist, 62(6), 563–574.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K. G., & Dufrene, T. (2008). Mindfulness for two: An acceptance and commitment therapy approach to mindfulness in psychotherapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K. G., Hayes, S. C., & Gifford, E. V. (1997). Cognition in behavior therapy: Agreements and differences. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 28(1), 53–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woidneck, M. R., Pratt, K. M., Gundy, J. M., Nelson, C. R., & Twohig, M. P. (2012). Exploring cultural competence in acceptance and commitment therapy outcomes. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(3), 227–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Akihiko Masuda .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Qinaʻau, J., Masuda, A. (2020). Cultural Considerations in the Context of Establishing Rapport: A Contextual Behavioral View on Common Factors. In: Benuto, L.T., Gonzalez, F.R., Singer, J. (eds) Handbook of Cultural Factors in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32229-8_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics