Does going to therapy really work?

Much of modern psychology was shaped through Western perspectives: its studies, methods, and definitions of "normal" behavior are rooted in specific cultural norms. What is considered "crossing a line" depends on culture. A parent saying "look at me when I talk to you" or "look down when you talk to me" reflects two valid ways of expressing respect, each linked to its own history. But when research relies on one set of customs, it becomes difficult for it to capture and understand another. Yet to say that therapy does not apply to non-Western people would be too easy an escape.

Rethinking What therapy could be

What would therapy look like if it reflected different ways of thinking, believing, and relating? Cognitive behavioural therapy could, for instance, integrate Islamic or intercultural elements. New studies could explore what care means for those whose cultures have rarely been included in psychological research. And instead of feeling like a foreign body, distant and invented elsewhere, psychology and therapy could be reclaimed. They have lived in our histories in many forms; it would only be a matter of reconnecting with them.

Mental Wellbeing as an Ecosystem

Taking care of your mental well-being, for instance, can take many forms. It rarely comes from one single act. It grows through the small, consistent gestures that give rhythm to life: rest, movement, faith, creativity, connection, etc. These elements create a non-negligible structure, which eventually allows stability to emerge. But when one feels stuck, therapy could be the way to remove the obstacles that cloud one's vision and make it hard to move forward. This is why we believe access to it should be simple and judgment-free, offering everyone the chance to discover what tools help them function and grow.

The Importance of Feeling Understood

Healing happens more easily when one feels seen; culturally, spiritually, and emotionally. Within the diaspora, this connection is not always present. Many turn away from professional care not because they reject it, but because it doesn't always speak their language. When context is missing, even the best advice can sound distant.

At Soukoune, these reflections have guided our work. Beyond awareness, they led to something practical: the creation of a therapist-finder for the diaspora in Europe. The goal is to make access to care easier and more culturally grounded, to connect people with professionals who understand their references, their silences, their ways of expressing emotion, all while offering advice that won't dismiss their experience or compromise their values.

So, does therapy really work?

Perhaps the better question is: how can it work for us?

For the skeptic, uncertainty around therapy's effectiveness will always exist. But the impact of neglected mental health is certain. The most meaningful step forward we can take, both as individuals and as a community, is actually finding ways to heal. Softly and effectively, in harmony with who we are.