ABSTRACT
While it is not possible to claim that all family treatment must follow a universal and chronological pattern, there are commonalities that can help the therapist working with Muslim families maintain objectivity and provide directions for the family. Typically there are four major stages for family therapy that can be used cross-culturally: 1) the preparation stage, which includes mutual acceptance of the definition of the problem and formulation of goals; 2) the evaluation stage, which includes assessment formulation and alliance building; 3) the treatment stage, which includes creating a treatment plan and the managing of resistance; and 4) the termination stage, which includes discussing the termination process and defining the duration and format of the ending. There are important tasks that must be accomplished at each stage before continuing to the next stage. It is important to complete these tasks in each stage for a strong and successful family therapy process.
