Doing Therapy with Intercultural Couples

“Sunita Noronha brilliantly presents the lived experiences of intercultural couples, highlighting positives with appreciation, as well as negotiating differences regarding personal space, identity, values, family traditions, specific cultural orientations, political inclinations, belief systems, and behavioral patterns. Dr. Noronha successfully integrates psychology, theology, therapeutic techniques, cultural studies, and sociology of religion in her pastoral theological method. . . . A valuable resource not only for intercultural couples but also for therapists engaged with multicultural family education and therapy.”


—Joseph George, secretary, International Council for Pastoral Care and Counseling





“Choosing a life partner is a major event that impacts every facet of one’s being. Noronha offers thoughtful reflection on the questions that matter in these relationships, drawing from both her research and her personal experience. . . . There is an increasing number of couples for whom intercultural issues are significant parts of their presentation. The global village now includes all of us. Welcoming the stranger will sometimes include our spouse or partner.”


—Skip Johnson, pastor, Cannon United Methodist Church





“You need to read this book: (a) if you are engaged in a marriage relationship that has been disturbed by the culture and are trying to resolve the concerns and issues emerging from cultural value and belief systems; (b) if you are willing to journey with ‘help-seeking couples’ to re-create the possibilities of the ‘first couple in the garden of Eden’ through psychotherapeutic approaches and skills informed by pastoral theology; (c) if you are a person who believes in the healing of family relationships.”


—A. Israel David, professor, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Union Biblical Seminary