ИСТИНА

Effective CBT training should be dependent on cultural and social contexts. First, there are differences in legislation, kinds of psychotherapy that are spread in the country and cultural beliefs about it. These factors lead to specific expectations hold by trainees. Second, social reality makes some complaints in psychotherapy very frequent. Context-specific training program should take into account trainees' beliefs and expectations about psychotherapy and emphasize ways to work on problems typical for the population. The aim of this presentation is to describe opportunities and limitations of the training in CBT in Russia. It is based on my experience of providing basic training in CBT for psychology students. First, in Russia there is no legislation base for the psychotherapy in private practice and education. Psychoanalysis, gestalt-therapy, psychodrama and CBT seem to be most common approaches but only trainings in gestalt-therapy and psychodrama match world standards. In public health sector only medical doctors after brief course on psychology and psychotherapy could work with clients. On one hand, lack of knowledge lead to the image of psychotherapy as a "magic" which is based on intuition, should help immediately and demands hard work from neither therapist nor client. Students usually hope for exciting easy classes. Testing these thoughts and beliefs is not only a good starting point to demonstrate CBT in action but also gives students understanding of their future clients' expectations. The other consequences of the lack of legislation are fear to be deceived and uncertainty experienced by clients. Emphasis on techniques reducing anxiety (session structure, continuum techniques etc.) becomes very helpful. Great proportion of clients come to the therapy only when having pronounced clinical symptoms so basic knowledge on psychiatry and clinical psychology is necessary. Second, unstable economic situation leads to fears and negative thoughts about the future. Living with parents increases family-related complaints in youth and parents. Students' own experience could be a basis for understanding of clients. In general, features of CBT training in Russia seem to have much in common with other developing countries. There are limitations related to lack of legislation, skills and knowledge. However, taking into account social context gives CBT training great opportunity to transform lack of motivation and unrealistic expectations to strengths.