Cultural factors influence the expression and appraisal of emotions: implications for psychotherapy and supervision practice

The evaluation of emotional experience is a critical competency for both supervisees and supervisors. However, cultural factors can have a substantive influence on emotional experiences, their expression, and their subsequent evaluation in therapy and supervision. The purpose of this article is to consider the impact of cultural differences on emotional expression in psychotherapy and supervision, to explore the importance of accurately evaluating emotions in those potentially culturally diverse situations, and to highlight supervisory techniques that could contribute to cultural enhancement of therapeutic/supervisory understandings and outcomes. Because emotion appraisal differences can be widespread and implicit, therapists, supervisees, and supervisors should have access to fit-for-practice emotion appraisal instruments. Two such instruments are described, their use is explained, and their practical applications are illustrated in case scenarios. In so doing, we also present a culturally humble competence-enabling perspective on viewing and using such emotion appraisal tools in treatment and supervision. Several potential research directions have also been identified.