Working With Arab American Couples
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respect Arab cultural values , but that they will regard these values negatively . Part of the mistrust is likely because Arab and Arab American culture , identity , and tradition are collectivist — they emphasize the needs of the group over the individual — and the mainstream culture of the United States is the opposite ; it ’ s individualistic . For example , one aspect of Arab and Arab American culture that is misunderstood by Western culture is the idea of marriage being religiously governed and arranged by the parents . Although not all marriages are arranged , Arab and Arab American parents still have a significant influence on the lives of their children .
Many Arab individuals suspect that individualistic Western countries , including the United States , do not care for their way of life , particularly when it comes to marriage . When an Arab American couple gets married , their dynamic in turn is significantly influenced by their family ( including extended family ), as well as neighbors and members of both cultural and religious communities .
When a marital problem arises for an Arab American couple , their connection to their family and community can predispose Arab American couples to respond by relying on traditional healing methods ( e . g ., advice from family , religious leaders , and community ). Couples and family therapy is intended to provide tools and assistance for people to use within their relationships . This goal makes it difficult for Arab American couples to choose mental health counseling because it conflicts with the collectivist impulse to seek advice from family and friends .
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
To contextualize the recommendations provided , we coauthors want to be as transparent as possible by providing our own social locations :
• Dr . Tadros is Hispanic and Arabian , a heterosexual woman with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision : Marriage and Family Therapy .
• Abrea Ramadan is a Muslim Arab-American female student and counselor in training .
• Marram Salman identifies as an Arab-American heterosexual woman and has a master ’ s in Counseling .
The importance of cultural humility and culturally informed practices within therapeutic settings is a concept likely very familiar to our colleagues in the clinical mental health counseling field . As part of our continuing efforts to advocate for culturally appropriate interventions , in this article we provide recommendations for working clinically with Arab American couples .
First , when Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ( LCMHCs ) work with Arab American couples , they must understand that talking about martial or relational problems , even in a safe space such as therapy , will be met with extreme hesitancy . Arab American couples will be used to keeping their personal feelings and thoughts within the family , and between couples and spouses .
Since an Arab American couple ’ s relationship is likely to be influenced by a variety of factors , LCMHCs must consider each factor as a strain on the relationship . The five factors we address here are problems with :
• Sexual intimacy or intimate partner violence
• Marrying outside the family ’ s culture or religion
• Gender roles
• Infidelity
• Stigma and trust related to therapy
Problems With Sexual Intimacy or Intimate Partner Violence
In any relationship , sexual intimacy is vital . Yet sex is considered a taboo topic in Arab American culture ; it ’ s a discussion for couples and spouses only . Due to lack of sex education , sexual health literacy , and sex-related knowledge in general , couples may fear bringing up their struggles with intimacy . They may be uncomfortable with discussing it with each other , let alone discussing it with a therapist — by definition someone outside of their relationship .
To address sexual tension in a relationship , LCMHCs need to understand that it is a layered conflict , and one that the couple may feel the need to solve on their own . The culture of silence ingrained in Arab American culture can make problems with intimacy , commitment , and intimate partner violence ( IPV ) feel like weighty burdens to Arab American couples . Practicing multicultural awareness is key to parsing the layers of an Arab American couple ’ s dynamic . Multicultural awareness can help LCMHCs better understand their clients ’ perceptions ( both stated and unstated ), the likelihood of them sharing their experiences , why they are seeking assistance , and most importantly , the type of assistance they are willing to accept .
LCMHCs must also understand that Arab American couples will feel compelled to protect family honor and tradition , even when it requires them to remain silent . Violence and abuse
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20 The Advocate Magazine Fall 2021 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org