Delivering a culturally adapted therapy for Muslim clients with depression

Abstract

Inequalities in mental health treatment access and outcomes for minority ethnic and religious groups in the UK have been recognized for more than a decade; however, work to address these at an operational level is still emerging. In recognition of the need for culturally adapted therapies, researchers at the University of Leeds developed and piloted an adapted therapy for Muslim clients, based on behavioural activation (BA), an existing evidence-based psychosocial treatment for depression. Therapists and supervisors at Touchstone, Leeds have been trained to deliver the culturally adapted approach, which supports Muslim clients who choose to use ‘positive religious coping’ as a resource for health. This paper describes the key elements of the intervention and how it is being delivered in practice to increase service uptake and recovery in Muslim communities.