EDG 4008 : CROSS CULTURAL COUNSELING

Assignment : Article Review ( Counseling Consideration

Among Arabs American )

Masrijah Masir 1110902

Sem 2 , 2014/2015

Summary of the article

This article is a qualitative research which is the aim is to have a better understanding
about Arab American while conducting counselling to have an effective result. In
introduction, the writer concerning about the cultural background of Arab American, it
included their history of origin in US, the majority population in state and belief system. The
writers informing the reader about the time line of Arab came to US. It has 3 different waves
with 3 different group of Arab and already started 125 years ago. By 2001, there are 12 states
in US are concentrated by large population of Arab. This article stresses that religion is play a
vital role in Arabs life and not confined to Muslim but affected Christian in another hand.
Therefore, they uphold the values and tradition system above all. Even though Islam and
Arab always overlap but Christian Arabs do not find any difficulties to follow the tradition.
However, between these two groups of people, Muslim Arab found it difficult to assimilate
with mainstream society in US. In the previous study that used as literature review in this
article addressed the following as the issues frequently encounter by Arabs American; cultural
difficulties, marital problem, school/education related issues, behaviour problems or
developmental of disabilities and mental disorder such as depression, schizophrenia and
bipolar.
Method that uses by the researcher in this article is group interview. But its only be
done after granted permission from Community Services Agent that Serving a vast Arab
American population and 10 Arabs therapist were participated in this interview. They were
used 4 broad categories that emerged from literature review to formulate general discussion
topics, there were a) background population information b) issues presented by clients
representing the population c) barriers and recommended approaches to counselling
individual from the population and, d) therapy and therapist dynamics.

In result section, the writers presented only the specific and newer result only. In part
a. based from the topics above. The result shows that family system affected Arab American
because extended family is the dominant family structure but the immigrant in US in only
consist of nuclear family and raise another issue in struggling to maintain a good
relationships among couples, parents, and children. Part b discusses regarding the issues
presented by the client. Examples of the issues is educational level, home crisis, depression,
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and PTSD ( posttraumatic stress
disorder)among refugees from post countries war such as Iraq. In c part, the factors affecting
the therapeutic process were discussed. The participant included language barriers and
conflicts between generations of acculturation. The final part in the result is mentioned about
the therapy/therapist dynamics. One barrier faced by the service providers here is mistrust or
fear among the clients regarding the confidentiality.
Discussion section discusses about important issues from the group interview that
need further attention. The writers presented that support and endorsement of community
leaders for mental health services would lead for greater acceptance among Arab society.
Another strategy could be used is solicit support from religious leaders particularly among
the more religious oriented subcultural groups. Also, acknowledging the spiritual issues and
consulting with leaders as potential allies in the therapeutic process and may be useful and
powerful tools in some cases with Arabs. It is noted that, it is important to charge the at least
nominal fee for the service delivery to depicts that the therapeutic process as charitable
handout. A good rapport is necessarily between counsellor and client rather than the
interpretation or exploring the client issues. It is difficult for the Arabs American to open and
exposing themselves to other outsiders. As mentioned earlier, Arabs really uphold their
tradition and values. It is important to do not criticize or confront them while presence other
family members because it is consider as inappropriate.

Analysis and Critique

. This research paper was written past 9/11 that totally changes how the world looks
into Arabs. The post 9/11 gives impact on Arabs population specifically Muslim who live in
west. Even though the article didnt mention regarding the issues but it still affecting the
population. This is the reason Muslim Arabs American found it difficult to assimilate with the
mainstream society not only being judge but also discriminate because they have a stereotype
towards Arabs.(Sciarra and Nobles, 2000)
In counselling field, the counsellor required for not being judgemental rather than
empathy and genuine. However, it is challenging if the clients is culturally different. This
article is trying the mental health service providers in US to minimize the barrier within them
and the Arab American and have information about the factors contribute for hindrance the
therapeutic session.
The result is expecting. Like any other culture in this world, our background and
culture will perceive how we look the world and people entirely. Arabs are from the east but
need to live in western community who is almost totally different in all aspects of life from
them. It is challenging for the immigrant or minority to live in majority country. The values
and system may give hard time for them especially who already having an issues. For
example, in this research, some immigrants are from Ira and experiencing post war
experience and lead to PTSD. The thing getting worse because they have to live in country
that considered as a reason for the war happens in their home country.( Sciarra and Nobles,
200) It gives a high pressure that rise others issues in their life. This is because from this
article, it found out that Iraqi refugee tend to get involve in substance abuse and depression.

Moreover, Arabs population overemphasized on their culture. They bring it together

wherever they go and as manifestation for loving and respecting their race. Eastern people
are different from western culture. In east, family is a dominant in life and complaining own
flesh and blood is unacceptable. Also, being survival is necessary and depicts as a strong
human being. However, in west, they tend to be individual centred and being honest
regardless the bloodline. From this view, we can see how different these two groups of people
perceive on some issue. The counsellor may misdiagnosis the real issue. Therefore, the wrong
intervention will be used in session.
As a Muslim and from east, all the factors contribute to ineffective counselling with
Arab American is expected because more or less we uphold similar value. However, this
article is really helpful for western counsellor who will later have session with Arab
American. This article is comprehensive because it inserted almost everything a counsellor
should know, from the history to factors contribute and suggestion element place in for
conducting a therapeutic session.
However, there is no such perfect thing. The result section in this article is not fully
presented. The writers inserted newer finding only while all the finding similar with the
literature review is not included which is difficult for the readers to identify which of the
factors is not contributing to this issue.
Recommendation and conclusion
In this part, I would like to suggest for counsellor to read this article. Even though we
are conducting session with Arabs American but we can acquire insight from this article. It
has hidden knowledge that we as a counsellor should know. It helps us to practice a good
session with multicultural clients. In some occasion we may encounter a client culturally
differently and it is not an excuse for refuse to help just because they are different. This

article, teaches on how we should at least put some effort to help client. It shows that
counselling session is not talk and listens only but beyond that. We must identify all aspects
of clients in depth to help them in life.
As a conclusion, this article is only scratched the surface, this article has attempted in
providing culturally sensitive services to Arab Americans. Their political history, strong
religious back- ground, and significant differences with the dominant culture of the United
States complicate issues of second culture acquisition for Arab Americans. However, it is a
knowledge nee to learned by all counsellors to have consideration and be cultural sensitive
with diverse clien

References.
Nobles . A. Y and Sciarra. D. T (2000) : Cultural Determinants in the Treatment of Arab Americans:
A Primer for Mainstream Therapists. American journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70(2).