Faith in the Therapy Room: A Qualitative Study of Canadian Immigrant Clients\u27 Untold Stories

Abstract

Immigration to Canada brings cultural diversity, but also stressors and challenges that impact mental well-being. Spirituality recognizes the profound significance of relational knowing, manifesting in external appreciation for meaningful experiences with others that provide purpose. Despite the importance of faith in many immigrants\u27 lives, mental health professionals often overlook spiritual and religious convictions. This descriptive qualitative study addressed this gap by conducting semi-structured interviews with 10 immigrant clients of faith in a diverse Canadian province. Purposive and snowball sampling were used for participant recruitment. NVivo 12 software facilitated efficient data management and analysis, and Braun and Clarke\u27s (2006) six-phase framework for thematic analysis identified nine overarching themes: (1) Using Faith as a Coping Strategy, (2) Relationship with Faith Changed Post-Migration, (3) Invalidation of Racism in Practice, (4) Counselors\u27 Failure to Address Faith, (5) Faith as a Free-Flowing Process, (6) Cultural Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness, (7) Establishing a Strong Therapeutic Relationship, (8) Faith and Trauma, and (9) Barriers to Mental Health Help-Seeking. These findings informed the development of the Free-Flowing Model of Faith (FFMF) framework, emphasizing the importance of cultural humility and faith-inclusive care. This study highlights the need for integrating faith in mental health services to better support immigrant communities. Implications for future research and practice are discussed