Group Therapy - CIT

Culturally Informed Therapy (CIT) for Muslims Across Florida

Does CIT work?

CIT has been tested among various groups over the last few years, and has shown to be efficacious in improving both mental health symptoms and measures of general well-being, including quality of life and greater usage of religious and spiritual coping strategies. In a pilot study conducted among people with schizophrenia, CIT-S proved more effective than a psychoeducation-only comparison condition in reducing psychiatric symptoms (Weisman de Mamani et al., 2014). In a study of caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia who went through CIT-S, Weisman de Mamani and Suro (2016) found that the intervention outperformed a psychoeducation-only condition in reducing caregiver burden as well as guilt/shame. Maura and Weisman de Mamani (2018) also found that CIT-S administered in a multifamily group format was similarly effective in reducing psychiatric symptoms. Furthermore, the intervention has demonstrated superiority to a psychoeducation-only comparison condition in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress in both people with schizophrenia and their caregivers (Brown & Weisman de Mamani, 2018). In this same study, it was found found that CIT-S increased family cohesion, and this change appeared to mediate the treatment effect on psychiatric symptoms. See Weisman de Mamani et al. (2021) for a detailed review of the previous efficacy studies and a step-by-step approach to delivering the intervention in a family format.

At the same time, CIT must be assessed in various other groups and settings in order to determine its generalizability across contexts. In a collaboration with the Coral Gables United Church of Christ, we delivered CIT for both serious mental illnesses and general mental health concerns (via separate groups) to community members, and found that participants reported significantly improved quality of life and greater usage of religious and spiritual coping strategies (Weisman de Mamani et al., In Press). At this stage, we aim to deliver CIT and CIT-S to Muslims across Florida to assess the efficacy of the interventions in addressing this population's mental health difficulties, building connectedness with others, and facilitating engagement with positive religious and spiritual coping strategies.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Group therapy involves multiple clients and one-to-two therapists. In group therapy, providers will often adapt the content of the sessions to meet the needs of as many clients as possible. Clients will have the opportunity to talk to therapist(s) as well as other clients about their problems and difficulties. Both therapists and clients will offer feedback, support, and ideas. 

Some clients feel nervous about joining group therapy; they have concerns about being judged, shamed, or lacking privacy. However, most clients feel differently after the first session. In group therapy, you meet others who are going through similar difficulties which can make you feel less alone. You also get the benefit of the insights/experience/knowledge of the therapists and other group members.

Unlike individual therapy, you share the therapy time with other group members. Some people find this helpful; they learn from the experiences of others who are speaking. The group format also helps the therapists see your communication skills in real time, and allows them and other group members to give you helpful feedback. 

You may continue to see an individual therapist while being involved in our group. At times, we may recommend individual therapy for difficulties that need more time and attention. Our team is always happy to provide you with referrals. 

Testimonials from Muslims who have attended CIT-M

1. "I'm very happy that I had the opportunity to take part in the Muslim American Project's Culturally Informed Therapy for Muslims. In the past I had participated in therapy, but I never felt that my therapist understood the issues I was facing as a Muslim. I ended up stopping therapy after putting in quite a lot of effort because I felt frustrated for not being understood. When I came across the Muslim American Project I was intrigued. I thought that this might be the place where I would be understood. I had never had group therapy, only one to one, so I was concerned that somehow my privacy would be invaded or that others in the group would be judgemental.  I really wasn't sure what to expect. 

In the end, I found that everyone's privacy was respected. The therapists took great care to choose members that would form a cohesive group. We learned how to address our problems in a way that respected Islam and our cultural beliefs and we learned from each other. The learning process  took place for nearly half a year of weekly Zoom meetings and I made a lot of progress working through some of the issues I was facing. We were taught techniques that we could use on our own to analyse and sort out our problems. Culturally informed therapy has really made a difference in my life." - Sister

2. "When I came across Culturally Informed Therapy for Muslims, I did not know what to expect. I had never heard of therapy specifically designed for Muslims. Having finished the therapy, I can definitely say that the quality of my life has changed for the better. Throughout the sessions, my spiritual values and culture were made relevant and this immensely helped me see topics in a different light. I appreciated the therapists approach of integrating spirituality with therapy, I felt it was just the right amount of both. I learned important life skills such as problem solving and healthy communication. This experience immensely improved my mental well-being and I am very thankful for that."  - Sister

References

Brown, C. A., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2018). The mediating effect of family cohesion in reducing patient symptoms and family distress in a culturally informed family therapy for schizophrenia: A parallel-process latent-growth model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000257

Maura, J., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2018). The feasibility of a culturally informed group therapy for patients with schizophrenia and their family members. Psychotherapy (Chic), 55(1), 27-38. doi: 10.1037/pst0000109. 

Weisman de Mamani, A. Altamirano, O., Lopez, D., McLaughlin, M., Maura, J., Martinez de Andino, A., Ahmad, S.S., Hafner, L., Lund, S. (In Press). Culturally informed therapy: An intervention that addresses the psychological needs of religious individuals of diverse identities. In P. S. Richards, G. E. K. Allen, D. K. Judd (Eds.), Handbook of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapies. American Psychological Association.

Weisman de Mamani, A., Lopez, D., McLaughlin, M. M., Ahmad, S. S., Altamirano, O. (2022). A pilot study to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a transdiagnostic, religiously/spiritually integrated, culturally informed therapy. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000308

Weisman de Mamani, A., McLaughlin, M., Altamirano, O., & Lopez, D., Ahmad, S.S. (2021). Culturally informed therapy for Schizophrenia: A family-focused cognitive behavioral approach, clinician guide. Oxford University Press.

Weisman de Mamani, A. & Suro, G. (2016). The effect of a culturally-informed therapy on self-conscious emotions and burden in caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia. A randomized clinical trial. Psychotherapy, 53, 57-67.

Weisman de Mamani, A., Weintraub, M. J., Gurak, K., & Maura, J. (2014). A randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of a family-focused, culturally informed therapy for schizophrenia. Journal of Family Psychology, 28(6), 800-810. doi:10.1037/fam0000021