A qualitative exploration of systemic training and practice for Muslim community leaders as part of an innovative project in an inner-city area

Abstract

Whilst there is increasing interest in spiritual and religious narratives in the field of family therapy, little has been written regarding how these constructs intersect in training and practice. This study explores the experiences of three Muslim community leaders who completed two years of systemic training as part of an innovative project in an inner-city area. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), resulting in the emergence of three themes: (i) the self of the systemic practitioner, (ii) experience of systemic training and (iii) application in the community. Participants recognised that most systemic principles and interventions were complementary to religious constructs and could be applied in their community work. Being part of a Muslim cohort, the skilful management of cultural sensitivity by the instructors and opportunities for faith-based perspectives to be appreciated and engaged with as part of the meaning-making process all contributed to a positive learning experience.

Practitioner points

• Muslim community leaders in this study recognised that most systemic principles and interventions were complementary to religious constructs and could be applied in their community work.
• Being part of a Muslim cohort, the skilful management of cultural sensitivity by the instructors and opportunities for faith community perspectives to be heard and articulated all contributed to a positive learning experience.
• They expressed a need for systemic training and knowledge to be disseminated to support community leaders and Imams as well as the communities they serve.
• Opportunities for the expression of the subjugated discourses held by faith-based communities are required to help identify gaps in research and training that could lead to the establishment of service provisions that do not denigrate the core beliefs of these populations.
• The incorporation of faith community understandings of the self, family and society into systemic practice would enable institutions, trainers, supervisors and therapists to be more responsive to the needs of these communities, as well as identify opportunities for the co-creation of knowledge.