The Development of a Culturally Informed, Family- Focused Treatment for Schizophrenia AMY WEISMANw EUGENIO DUARTEw VAMSI KONERUw STEPHANIE WASSERMANw With the changing demographics in the United States, there is an increasing need for psychotherapy interventions that have been tailored for and empirically evaluated with culturally diverse groups. This article discusses the development and evaluation of a family-focused, culturally informed therapy for schizophrenia (CIT-S) that is currently being pilot tested at the University of Miami. Case examples of CIT-S with partici- pating families are provided, along with a discussion of interesting and challenging cultural issues that we have encountered during the pilot phase of this treatment study Keywords: Culture; Schizophrenic; Family Therapy Fam Proc 45:171–186, 2006 T he demographics in the United States are rapidly changing. By the year 2050, it is expected that 50% of the population will belong to ethnic or racial minorities (Kagawa-Singer, 2001). With this changing demographic comes a need for health and psychological services that are tailored to and appropriate for diverse populations. In this article, we will provide an overview of a new, culturally informed therapy for schizophrenia (CIT-S) that has been developed in both English and Spanish and is currently being pilot tested at the University of Miami. OVERVIEW The need for treatments for schizophrenia is clear. This illness is considered one of the most severe of mental disorders and is marked by an insidious and chronic course (Saunders, 2003). The illness occurs in all ethnic populations, with prevalence rates ranging from 1.4% to 4.6% worldwide (see Jablensky, 2000). Schizophrenia not only takes its toll on patients, but it is also clearly a family process, dramatically impacting patients’ relatives and loved ones as well (Weisman, 2005). Family Process, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2006 r FPI, Inc. 171 Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Amy Weisman, Ph.D., University of Miami, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0751. Tel: (305) 284-3477, Fax: (305) 284-3402. E-mail: aweisman@miami.edu wUniversity of Miami.