Application of cognitive behavior therapy to interpersonal problems: A case study of a Japanese female client

This case study described the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for a Japanese female client suffering from interpersonal problems. The client, who previously had been abused by her husband, was treated in 15 individual sessions with cognitive restructuring procedures and social skills training. Self-reports indicated dramatic decreases in scores on most of the psychological measures at posttreatment, and the effect was maintained for 4 months after treatment termination. In this case presentation, several factors in making CBT beneficial in the treatment of clients with a Japanese cultural background are discussed. The authors also discuss the importance of the cultural context in which the therapist and the client are embedded and its influence on assessing the irrationality of the client's beliefs.