The purpose of this study was to understand Polynesian American (PA) values, preferences, and beliefs about psychotherapy in light of their culture. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted to collect and analyze culturally relevant preferences and expectations of psychotherapy with Polynesian Americans. The study consisted of 13 in-depth interviews with individuals of Pacific Islander descent who are currently living in the United States. The results of the analysis showed three culturally informed themes shared by study participants that informed this sample’s expectations and preferences of psychotherapy: ʻOhana (family), Lōkahi (harmony) and Aloha (warmth, compassion, love). These values provide unique insights to therapy adaptations that should be emphasized when working with Polynesian American clients, such as using a family centered approach to therapy that takes into account the collective needs of a client’s entire family, participating in therapist self-disclosure and the sharing of personal backgrounds, looking at clients challenges through a holistic lens, and demonstrating genuine warmth in the client-counsellor relationship. We discuss clinical implications and recommendations for Polynesian Americans in future research.

本研究的目的是根据波利尼西亚裔美国人 (PA) 的文化了解心理治疗的价值观、偏好和信念。进行了解释性现象学分析 (IPA)，以收集和分析波利尼西亚裔美国人对心理治疗的文化相关偏好和期望。该研究包括对目前居住在美国的太平洋岛民后裔的 13 次深入访谈。分析结果显示了研究参与者共有的三个文化主题，这些主题影响了该样本对心理治疗的期望和偏好：'Ohana（家庭）、Lōkahi（和谐）和 Aloha（温暖、同情、爱）。这些价值观为与波利尼西亚裔美国客户合作时应强调的治疗调整提供了独特的见解，例如使用以家庭为中心的治疗方法，考虑到来访者整个家庭的集体需求，参与治疗师的自我表露和分享个人背景，从整体角度看待来访者面临的挑战，并在治疗过程中表现出真正的温暖客户顾问关系。我们在未来的研究中讨论对波利尼西亚裔美国人的临床意义和建议。