Therapy with Muslim Couples and Families: Basic Guidelines for Effective Practice

Authors

Paul R. Springer, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Douglas A. Abbott, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Allison M. J. Reisbig, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Paul R. Springer

Date of this Version

7-2009

Comments

Published in The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 17:3 (July 2009), pp. 229-235; doi: 10.1177/1066480709337798 Copyright © 2009 SAGE Publications on behalf of International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Used by permission. http://tfj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/17/3/229

Abstract

Despite the growing numbers of Muslims in the United States, there is a scarcity of research dealing with mental health practitioners working with Muslim families. This lack of research may leave clinicians unprepared to adequately help Muslim patients and families faced with discrimination and misunderstanding, which may inadvertently lead to the perpetuation of biases in therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is (a) to provide mental health practitioners with foundational information regarding the Islamic faith and the values of the traditional Muslim families and (b) to provide culturally sensitive guidelines for clinical practice.