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Case Reports
. 2009 Dec;166(12):1325-30.
doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.08081235.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gambling: cultural considerations

Mayumi Okuda  1 , Iván Balán, Nancy M Petry, Maria Oquendo, Carlos Blanco
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gambling: cultural considerations

Mayumi Okuda et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Pathological gambling is a common disorder with severe consequences for patients and their families. This case study describes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for pathological gambling and its general principles and provides an example of a modification of CBT techniques in the treatment of a 51-year-old immigrant Afro-Caribbean woman. The case depicts the contribution of beliefs, especially those that are part of a cultural system, to the perpetuation of a patient's disorder; the influence of family members' attitudes, moved by their cultural beliefs and values, in shaping the patient's behavior; and the consideration of these issues in guiding specific interventions, such as challenging irrational thoughts or helping patients devise strategies to change their behavior in a culturally congruent manner.

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