The impact of culture on psychotherapy: Korean clients' expectations in psychotherapy.

The impact of culture on clients' expectations for psychotherapy has not been adequately studied. This is the first study to explore Korean clients' expectations in psychotherapy. A 120-item instrument was used to collect data on expectations for psychotherapy held by 25 Korean clients of the Asian Mental Health Clinic. Six hypotheses regarding expectations for therapist's discipline, characteristics, techniques, goals, and roles in psychotherapy were examined. The findings indicate that the model that Koreans have for a psychotherapeutic relationship is similar to the special teacher-disciple relationship in Korea. The study demonstrated that psychiatric nurses are held in high regard by Korean clients. Education of Koreans to Western psychotherapy concepts and procedures is essential. Recommendations were made for different treatment modalities integrating Western concepts of psychotherapy with Korean cultural concepts of mental health.