How do you help people with dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors, if they are driven by deeply entrenched cultural beliefs? A father brought his depressed 17 year old son for counseling, to “make him study for his final exams”. The son had experienced a series of peer related problems, displayed oppositional behavior, and even attempted suicide. His diagnosis included clinical depression. The parents were in denial about the seriousness of his condition, and attributed his behavior to attention-seeking. Their complete focus was on the need for him to study – so he gets into a good college – so they can be proud of him – so they can enjoy the social status of having a son in college. They were blinded by this cultural expectation.