Running from the demon: Culturally specific group therapy for depressed hmong women in a family medicine residency clinic

This exploratory study utilized qualitative data from three sets of baseline and post-treatment focus groups to explore the expectations, perceptions, and experience of 14 Hmong women participants in therapy groups conducted in a primary care setting. This new therapy group intervention, based on relational/cultural theory and using narrative therapy, was designed to be culturally specific while striving for integration, and multidisciplinary in order to reflect the interconnection among an array of factors affecting mental health. Participants were generally positive in their assessment of the therapy group experience andmade few negative comments about the group. The data suggest that this intervention is effective in helping Hmong women to gain social and emotional support, be able to identify coping mechanisms, and integrate Western and Hmong practices.