A new Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)-based framework offers mental health professionals a culturally adapted approach to help clients manage distress associated with the increasingly polarized US sociopolitical climate. Published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, the RISE Model integrates CBT, self-affirmation, cultural and spiritual strengths, community connection, and coping boundaries to address political stress, particularly among Black and Brown communities.

The Four Components of the RISE Model 

RISE stands for Reframe, Integrate, Strengthen, and Establish. The framework places individuals’ thoughts and emotional responses within their broader sociopolitical contexts rather than treating experiences of discrimination or oppression as cognitive distortions.

The four components are designed to help clinicians recognize and reframe clients’ thoughts in context, integrate clients’ cultural and spiritual strengths into treatment, strengthen their community connections, and establish coping boundaries and skills. Strategies include cognitive restructuring, affirmations, prayer, storytelling, community engagement, relaxation techniques, and setting boundaries around media consumption. The authors emphasize that the model is intended to be flexible and adapted for each client’s individual needs.

A black man smiling in a therapist's office

Aligned with the recovery movement, the framework goes beyond just symptom reduction and helps clinicians work with their clients to develop a positive self-image, strengthen cultural pride, develop feelings of belonging, and recognize that their contributions and voices matter.

Importantly, the authors describe the RISE Model as a conceptual framework rather than an empirically validated treatment model.. They call for qualitative, quantitative, and longitudinal research to evaluate its effectiveness and identify which components have the greatest therapeutic impact.

Commentary from Dr. Judith Beck

“The RISE Model is an interesting new framework that highlights the importance of understanding each client’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in context, including the cultural, social, economic, and political realities that shape a client’s life,” said Beck Institute President, Dr. Judith Beck. 

Dr. Beck reinforced that cognitive restructuring should not be used to dismiss real experiences of discrimination or oppression, but to help clients develop more accurate, balanced, and helpful ways of thinking—and then empower them to make decisions, learn skills, process grief, build resilience, and so much more.

Dr. Beck continued: “The RISE Model also reminds clinicians that effective CBT is individualized and should always take into account a client’s strengths and values.” She highlighted that self-affirmations should not just consist of positive statements about the self but should also include evidence supporting these positive conclusions.

The RISE Model offers a structured yet flexible framework for addressing political stress using culturally adapted CBT as a basis. Dr. Beck hopes to see further research to evaluate its efficacy across populations and settings.

Reference: 

Newton, C., Kea Edwards, A., & Pace, A. (2026). The RISE Model: A Culturally Adapted CBT Framework for Helping Clients Foster Resilience in the Political Climate. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 21(3), 393-408.

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