One of this site's primary sources for adapting CBT to be a more culturally responsive modality is the "Southampton Adaptation Framework to Culturally Adapt CBT: An Update" (Naeem et al., 2024). This article presents the Southampton Adaptation Framework (SAF-CBT), an evidence-based approach designed to make Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) more culturally responsive and effective for diverse populations. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement—including clients, families, therapists, and community leaders—the framework emphasizes adapting CBT without losing its core principles.

The SAF-CBT model outlines three key areas for adaptation, together referred to as the "Triple-A Principle" 

Awareness and Preparation – Understanding the client’s cultural, spiritual, and social context, including beliefs about illness and healing.

Assessment and Engagement – Exploring cultural identity, addressing racial or systemic traumas, and building trust through culturally sensitive engagement strategies.

Adjustments in Therapy – Modifying therapy delivery, language, metaphors, and therapeutic relationship styles to align with the client’s cultural values and experiences.

This framework shows that effective CBT adaptation goes beyond translation—it requires rethinking engagement, content, and delivery through a cultural lens. It provides practical guidance for therapists to create more inclusive, respectful, and accessible interventions, especially when working with clients from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. 

The source article provides the following table elaborating on these three concepts further: