Cognitive behavioral therapy in the Caribbean

Abstract

The Caribbean is a vibrant, diverse region that spans throughout the Caribbean Seas as far as South America. Psychotherapy and clinical practice have grown exponentially in the past few decades with the establishment of training programs, professional organization, and licensure guidelines. More specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy has begun to move through the region and has been utilized in interventions targeting aggression and trauma. The present paper begins by offering insight into the region and its history of psychotherapy, followed by a discussion of the training and professional opportunities in the field broadly. This chapter goes on to examine the ways in which cognitive behavioral therapy has been utilized, adapted, and disseminated throughout the region. The text ends with conclusions and recommendations on how to further evidence-based treatments like CBT with consideration of cultural relevancy and population-specific concerns.