Counseling and Psychotherapy with Arabs and Muslims: A Culturally Sensitive Approach

by Marwan Dwairy

The long shadow of September 11 has awakened a widespread desire to understand more about Arab and Islamic cultures. As an Arab who learned Western psychology, Marwan Dwairy has first-hand experience with the dilemmas involved in adapting Western psychotherapy to the needs of Arab and Muslim clients. Drawing from his 25 years of clinical and educational experience, this original volume will help to deepen knowledge and avoid stereotyping among counselors, therapists, social workers, and other mental health professionals. Book

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Valentina V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illuminante. Curato e ben approfondito, un libro che dovrebbe essere imprescindibile nella formazione psicologica. Sono rimasta rapita dal modo immediato ed efficace con cui l'autore introduce e illustra la cultura collettivista e nello specifico quella musulmana. Un manuale ideale anche per il suo carattere pratico, grazie agli esempi e ai casi.

[Yassir Morsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marwan Dwairy's book addresses the cultural nuances of counselling within Arab/Muslim societies, offering a critique of Western psychotherapy's cultural biases. Dwairy's text calls for reframing the counselling process to serve better “collectivistic societies”, which, he claims, represent most of the global population. The book is divided into three sections, each building upon the other to deepen the reader's understanding of the cultural context and its implications for therapy.
Initially, I approached the book with scepticism, particularly regarding the collective-individual divide, fearing a reductive treatment of such a complex issue. However, Dwairy navigates this terrain with subtlety and experience, avoiding oversimplification and providing a nuanced exploration of the interplay between collective identity and individual experience. His insights into the economic, emotional, and social interdependence within Arab/Muslim families are particularly enlightening, revealing how these factors contribute to a form of psychological dependency that Western models often overlook.

The book's second section delves into personality development and patterns, contrasting them with Western norms and highlighting the importance of understanding these differences for effective therapeutic intervention. Dwairy's personal experiences and professional journey enrich the narrative, lending authenticity to his call for a culturally sensitive approach to psychology.

A standout feature of the book is the section on metaphor, which I found particularly engaging. Dwairy introduces a biopsychosocial model that leverages the Arab/Muslim affinity for metaphorical expression, allowing clients to articulate their experiences in culturally resonant ways. This indirect therapy method is innovative and practical, providing a therapeutic avenue that respects cultural values while facilitating emotional expression and healing.

Dwairy's book is a testament to the importance of cultural empathy and the need for pluralism within the globalised context of mental health care.