Post-traumatic psychocultural therapy (PTpsyCT): Integration of trauma and shattering social labels of the self

Abstract

This article discusses the interaction between psychological Iraumatization and elhnocultural considerations in psychotherapy. Black veterans are highlighted to demonstrate the complexities of cultural and traumatic factors. The importance of recognizing the powerful and detrimental impact of stigmatizing social labels borne by certain groups of patients is discussed, as well as a specialized treatment model, “post-traumatic psychocultural therapy,” to help minority persons whose presenting complaints include suffering the aftereffects of psychological trauma. As the model integrates trauma and cultural issues, the veteran-therapist dynamics (particularly related to countertransference and cultural counterresistance), cultural stigma, and the therapist's achieving of transexperiential and transcultural competencies in therapy are emphasized.