My husband and I often consult our Imam for advice and help with different things like personal, family, work or school issues- he's someone hubby did hifz with so we know him well, and he's a great family friend. He's a young guy, highly educated, Indian but brought up in England, so both of us find him very easy to talk to and connect with as he's more open minded and has a different approach to things than most Imams I know. Also, because he knows us and our families closely, he advises us accordingly. We haven't had any serious issues in our marriage (Allah ka shukr) but I have referred him to some friends and even to a couple of people on GS who found him to be very, very helpful with marriage advice.
If we ever have serious issues that need to be addressed, I am pretty sure we'll go to him for advice before consulting a shrink. However, some problems are so severe than even the best Imam can't do anything, so it all really depends on the nature of the issue.
NJ, I have a personal thing about those in the field of psychology. Unless there is an issue that requires medication, I think anyone is better off talking to those involved and to loved ones. Shrinks, social workers and really anyone in the field of mental health tend to be the most messed up people on the planet and tend to make every attempt to gain a scheduled and regular at least once-a-week meeting so problems can be proloned way beyond. In addition, even thouh your sessions are supposed to be "private", just try going thru a nasty divorce or custody battle and see how fast those nasty little folders fly open for the world to peruse.
Talk to those who truly have your best intersests at heart.
I dont know about the ones who pursue it as a career, but I do know people who have studied psychology in undergraduate and they openly admit they're extremely messed up and thats why theyr'e taking psychology.
I would assume that most shrinks/therapists are trained in cultural sensitivity these days...anyone in this field or famliar with it..can shed more light on this.
i agree wiht mo3 ... talk to your frnds and close ones ... and talk to the ones involved ... i don't kno that many ppl who have gained much from counselling ... a couple of my frnds actually went for that and they both came out pretty disturbed and didn't wanna do it ever again ... so yea
Marriage issues are very unique for the couple. I am not sure if a marriage counselor is really needed. Need to have people who are close to both and have authority and respect to resolve the issues.
I too agree with Mo3, alot of times , close friends/family can prove to be much better then a shrink.
A few of my friends that too have gone for counselling would never advise anyone to go for it.. I guess its because a shrink might tell you what the problem is but might not be able to influence you into a solution... while friends and family can do that to a huge degree .... after all we do tend to listen to those more , who know us well ....
i agree wiht mo3 ... talk to your frnds and close ones ... and talk to the ones involved ... i don't kno that many ppl who have gained much from counselling ... a couple of my frnds actually went for that and they both came out pretty disturbed and didn't wanna do it ever again ... so yea
I know one wOman who went into counseling....and i guess her therapist advised her to leave her husband.
Pretty sad.
Hi, this is Mashook from Ajax (Toronto). In fact I was seariously searching for a Psychologist for my Cousin Brother (when he was on the verge of breaking up). Unfortunaltey, most of the therapists out there (? advertisement sites on google search) were NOT Psychologists, but counselors with blah blah degrees after their names.
As I could not afford to take a risk, I did a very thorough research and doctor shopping and found that most of these people does not even have adquate knowledge on mental health and their fees (though high) are not even covered by work insurance and it cannot be even write off as a medical expense for income tax.
Finally, I could find an actual Registered Psychologist from here https://members.cpo.on.ca/members_search/new which led to this doctor who is a real Desi Psychologists Psychological Recovery Clinic Though I am not advertising them, we found them very good and helpful in terms of the treatment.
I have read some negative comments about seeking mental health help in this thread. I would say it is mostly because of these posters’ ignorance on the subject. It would be better if they read this www.cpa.ca > Deciding to See a Psychologist Btw, my cousin is presently re-united and is now doing very well. Bottom-line is “Professional service can never be replaced” and so “take chances at your own risk”
