Working With Arab American Couples
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Problems With Stigma and With Trust Related to Therapy
Mental health counselors who work with Arab American couples must be knowledgeable about the stigma within the Arab community toward mental health and therapy . The stigma derives from Arab Americans ’:
• Negative view of mental illnesses ,
• Low level of confidence and trust in mental health professionals , and
• Religious beliefs , which may discourage therapy by viewing mental health struggles and mental illness as challenges from God . The perception is that if an individual were stronger in their faith , they may not have had to be challenged . Religious beliefs may also encourage people to seek relief from mental illness through prayer and steady devotion to religious practices .
The combination of factors that cause Arab Americans to view therapy with disinterest , disapproval , or distrust creates a formidable barrier to enabling them to receive support from LCMHCs and other mental health professionals . Obviously , LCMHCs who may not be very familiar with Arab cultures or Islamic faith are still obligated to be understanding and empathetic to clients who identify as Arab and / or Muslim .
Additionally , LCMHCs may want to keep in mind that even Arab Americans who come into their office seeking therapy may arrive distrusting the clinician or the therapeutic process — or both ! Since fears that mental health professionals will discuss their problems in front of others are a powerful deterrent to Arab Americans opening up in therapy , LCMHCs will want to assure Arab American clients that maintaining confidentiality is standard practice , and that it is an ethical requirement of the counseling profession as well .
While confidentiality is a guarantee within counseling practice , Arab American clients ( individuals and couples alike ), may not grasp this concept adequately . LCMHCs must understand that being in therapy at all was a barrier the client overcame , and LCMHCs should acknowledge that during the first session . Arab American clients feel that in therapy they will be talking
“ Arab American women are brought up knowing that they are expected to marry — and by what age . If they miss this ‘ expiration date ’ and are neither married nor have children , how does this affect their lives within their family and their community ?” not only about themselves , but about their families , too . This is true for couples as well because “ saving face ” is an important value in Arab culture . LCMHCs should recognize this additional barrier shouldered by Arab American clients by appreciating their strength in coming forward . Reassuring Arab American couples about the therapeutic process , reiterating confidentiality throughout sessions , and small bits of self-disclosure can go a long way toward removing any doubts about confidentiality in the therapeutic alliance — for individuals and couples alike .
Mental health clinicians should also be aware of cultural and / or religious beliefs that may result in clients expecting that their therapist will not understand them or will encourage them to do something against their beliefs . When Arab Americans overcome their boundaries and remove the stigma surrounding mental health and therapy , they have already made progress . However , this progress may not make them feel good , because now they are very vulnerable . In addition to feeling exposed , they may be afraid of the thoughts and feelings that will come up in therapy .
LCMHCs who take the time to understand their clients ’ reasoning for the stigmatized beliefs about therapy open the doors to discovering ways to better the therapeutic experience for their Arab American clients .
LET ’ S HELP AMPLIFY ARAB AMERICAN VOICES — IN THE RESEARCH LITERATURE AND AS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
The clinical mental health profession needs to do better in serving the Arab American population , starting with ensuring that relevant continuing education courses are available for LCMHCs . Arab Americans need to be able to depend on LCMHCs being consistent and proactive in dismissing myths and dismantling stereotypes about Arabs and Arab American populations .
LCMHCs who validate and listen to Arab American couples will begin their work together by acknowledging the significance
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22 The Advocate Magazine Fall 2021 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org