Culture as a variable in psychotherapy

Laetitia Puthenpadath

doi:10.9791/ajpanz.2001.07

Laetitia Puthenpadath

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9791/ajpanz.2001.07

Abstract

This paper reviews the impact of culture on the therapeutic relationship. It suggests that difficulties often arise within the inter-subjective milieu when the therapist fails to maintain an attentional stance with regard to their own values, beliefs and world-views and the way these contrast with those of the client in cross-cultural psychotherapy.

Author Biography

Laetitia Puthenpadath

As recorded in 2001.

Laetitia Puthenpadath, MNZAP, is from South India and has been living in New Zealand for the past 15 years in a small Christian community of vowed women. She studied and taught zoology for several years. Later she received theological training in the Philippines. After completing her psychotherapy diploma at the Auckland Institute of Technology, she continued her training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Auckland Family Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre for six years, and with the Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She was accepted as a member of NZAP in 1995 and is currently a member of the Auckland Regional Supervisor's Group.