ABSTRACT: Cambodia suffers from an alarming treatment gap in the field of mental health. The Cambodian mental health care systems struggles to meet the overwhelming needs of the population. Shortage of trained professionals, the predominantly rural demographic and the over-reliance on pharmacological therapy (along with all the respective consequences) call for treatment options which feature brief therapeutic approaches, techniques easily mastered by non-psychotherapists, and the complete avoidance of a purely bio-medical approach. Additionally, traditional and cultural beliefs as well as Buddhist spirituality should be taken into account when determining the most effective culturally appropriate treatment options.The desirable characteristics of potential therapies are featured in the alternative and culturally sensitive approaches described in this research, which include testimonial and dialogue approaches, art and group therapies, forum theater and EMDR techniques.While the broader issues of government and international funding, low levels of awareness regarding mental health, lack of trained staff, facilities and resources are being addressed, the success of mental health treatment in Cambodia depends upon the short and long-term results of an effective and thorough implementation of such alternative strategies.
