Muslims in the United States: An Exploratory Study of Universal and Mental Health Values

The authors surveyed the universal and mental health values of 121 Muslims in the United States and their counseling preferences. The respondents were generally well educated and highly religious. They responded high in the universal values of benevolence and conformity; low in power, hedonism, and stimulation; and high in many humanistic mental health values. A comparison with typical counselor values showed both similarities and differences. A substantial minority indicated a willingness to go to a non-Muslim counselor but most would want a counselor with an understanding of Islam. Implications for counseling practice and future research are discussed.