Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Leaving Afghanistan, Part 2: Afghan Americans

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Understanding the Psychological Impacts of Leaving Afghanistan, Part 2: Afghan Americans

An interview with Sara Stanizai, LMFT, on how Afghan Americans are responding as the US leaves Afghanistan. Curt and Katie talk with Sara about her experience as an Afghan American therapist, looking at the misconceptions, lack of knowledge, and bias that can harm Afghan American clients. We look at clinical best practices for immigrants to the US, as well as some of the history and cultural norms of the country, the uniqueness of the experience, and the importance of finding primary sources to understand what is really going on. Sara also shares ideas for what we can do to support the Afghan people in Afghanistan and the diaspora at this time.

It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.

Interview with Sara Stanizai, LMFT

Sara Stanizai, LMFT (she/her) is a licensed therapist, clinical supervisor, and the owner of Prospect Therapy, a queer- and trans-affirming therapy practice based in Long Beach, CA, with a special focus on serving first-generation American and immigrant communities. A queer first-gen herself, Sara’s clinical and professional work focuses on serving the Afghan diaspora, specifically, fellow Afghan-American women, and bicultural communities in general. She runs a weekly Afghan-American women's group and will be offering this free of charge in the coming weeks to meet the mental health needs of her community.

In this episode we talk about:

• Sara’s experience being an Afghan American, especially since 9/11; as well as her response to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan
• Afghan Americans: the displaced among the displaced
• The real issues that folks in Afghanistan are facing, separate from the perspective of western cultural and the differences in the Afghan American experience
• Historical context for Afghanistan and the memories of Afghan Americans that shape their views: Culture, art, progressive, beautiful, diverse
• Not feeling Afghan enough or American enough
• The value of hospitality and how Afghanistan will always welcome Afghan Americans
• How Islam intertwines (but is not equivalent) to the Afghan culture
• Modesty and values and the bias toward Muslim women who wear headscarves
• Bias and misperceptions that can negatively impact clients
• The complexity of Islam and how it can be perceived both as beautiful and nature-loving as well as dangerous and militant
• The challenge to identity being an Afghan American
• The danger of pity coming into the therapy room
• The importance and nuance of educating yourself outside of the therapy room, while also encouraging the client of sharing their own experience. Not: What does this mean? Instead: What does this mean to you?
• The Afghan culture requires offering 3 times before determining that the answer is no
• Collectivism and the importance of family
• Impact of intergenerational trauma and military involvement in a home country
• Seeking out primary sources, with a focus on Afghan voices as the experience is truly unique
• Avoid sensationalized headlines and images
• Challenging what has been “truth” especially when looking at these sensationalized stories
• Ways of healing and clinical practice that are better aligned to these clients
• Prayer and healing within safe community spaces
• Considerations on scheduling session around prayer time and understanding fasting
• The lack of language for what is being experienced
• Offering connection, even when you don’t know what to say
• The focus on trying to get family and friends out of Afghanistan, constantly watching the news
• Ideas for what you can do to support the people of Afghanistan
• The importance of legal support, translation services, and advocacy at this time
• The support group for Afghan women that Sara runs