“Counselling Made Me a Better Muslim”: The Counselling Experiences of Muslim Clients in Western Canada
Date
2021-09-20
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Abstract
As the Muslim population increases in Canada, there is a growing need for culturally responsive counselling services that consider the values and challenges of this group. This includes being aware of and understanding the diverse cultural identities of Muslims, the Islamic faith, and the impacts of various sociopolitical factors on Muslim clients’ lives. Previous studies have explored the role of spirituality/religion in clients’ lives, and there is some research providing guidelines for practitioners who work with Muslims; however, there is a paucity of research directly examining counselling experiences of Muslim clients, particularly in a Canadian context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants, 22–30 years old, who identified as practicing Muslims from varying cultural and educational backgrounds. Analysis of the interviews resulted in the development of four overarching categories into which 11 themes and 32 sub-themes were organized: (a) contextual factors and systemic considerations, (b) accessing mental health services, (c) process and outcomes of counselling, and (e) Islam and counselling. Findings and discussion include reflections on Islamophobia and racism, decolonizing mental health and counselling, as well as the need to return to Indigenous Islamic approaches (Islamic psychology). This involves the need for counsellors to advocate for and address systemic challenges faced by Muslim clients and the Muslim community at large. Implications for counsellor education and training as well as for community leaders/organizations are presented.
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Keywords
counselling, Islamic psychology, Muslim, Canada, Islamophobia
Citation
Taha, W. (2021). “Counselling Made Me a Better Muslim”: The Counselling Experiences of Muslim Clients in Western Canada (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.