Counseling and Psychotherapy in Morocco: TM’s Story.

Author: Kadri, N., & Belghazi, D.

Source:
International Counseling: Case Studies Handbook, 39-45.
This chapter discusses the therapy of a young Moroccan man suffering from a personality disorder who was being treated with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and schema therapy. We used CBT according to a specific model that focuses on early cognitive schemas. The model encompasses five therapy axes: cognitive methods, affective methods, interpersonal methods, behavioral methods, and consolidation skills. At every stage of the therapy, we first took into account the client's cultural specifics so that we could establish a good therapeutic alliance. Then, we focused on understanding his functioning and decoding what made the dysfunction continue. T.M. was a 25-year-old male from Morocco who lived with his parents and grew up in a wealthy family as the youngest of three siblings. In this case study, it was more difficult to change the client's assumptions that arose from cultural or religious histories. They were positively reinforced by society and the social environment of the client, making it difficult to highlight the nature of the client's thoughts together with their negative consequences. In this regard, it was important to be careful in how to address these issues. Hence, we chose to accept that T.M. went to the fkih and performed the rites recommended by the fkih. This example shows the importance of understanding the client's cultural beliefs and his or her help-seeking behaviors. Therefore, this case study strongly suggests that when the therapist and client share the same background, a culturally sensitive and adaptive therapeutic approach can be more easily attained