Theoretical model of psychotherapy: Eastern Asian-Islamic women with mental illness

Abstract

The Muslim immigrant population is increasing in the United States. To provide appropriate psychotherapy for this group, especially Islamic women, treatment professionals must have a deeper understanding of the culture of Eastern Islamic women. Islam is the lifestyle of this population and it influences their thinking, the relationships among themselves and with others, and all other activities of daily life. The holistic approach of the Eastern Islamic population is incompatible with the individualistic approach of Western psychotherapy in treating Islamic women. We explore a theoretical model of psychotherapy for Eastern Asian-Islamic women suffering from mental illness (MI) to develop an effective and appropriate therapy. Health care providers, specifically those dealing with MI patients, will gain insights from the suggested psychotherapeutic model and its relevance to Islamic concepts and practices.