A safe place to speak: Empowering Arabic-speaking youth through counselling
For many people, reaching out for mental health support is already a big step. Doing so in a new country, in a different language and within a close-knit community can make that step feel even harder.
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of offering fully funded counselling in Arabic, creating space for people to speak freely in their native tongue, feel understood and begin to heal in a way that feels natural to them.
At the centre of this work is our counsellor Noha Rabie—the only Arabic-speaking therapist in New Brunswick—whose approach is grounded in patience, cultural understanding and trust.
Meeting People Where They Are
Much of this work happens in places that already feel familiar. Noha regularly meets students at high schools. Sessions often take place in the morning or during lunch, in a private room arranged by the school, making it easier for students to access support without disrupting their day.
“The school knows I am their therapist, so they give us a room,” Noha explains. “It makes it easier for them to come. They don’t have to worry about transportation or finding a clinic.”
The young people she sees, mostly between 14 and 25, are navigating life in a new country while carrying the same questions many young people face anywhere. For some, the reasons for seeking support are deeply personal. A 17-year-old shared she came to counselling to overcome cultural differences and work on school anxiety, while a 16-year-old spoke about wanting to work on their self-image and self-shaming.
Why Language & Culturally-Informed Therapy Matters
For many clients, the ability to speak in Arabic changes everything.
“It’s amazing to find someone that you can relate to and who actually listens,” shared a 21-year-old male.
Noha sees this shift right away.
“When they speak in their own language, they don’t have to filter themselves,” she says. “They can express emotions the way they truly feel them.”
For many, counselling wasn’t something they had considered before. The hesitation is something Noha understands deeply.
“There’s always fear in a small community. They wonder, will this stay private? Will someone find out?”
But Noha is clear and reassuring about confidentiality from the beginning.
“If anything got exposed, I could lose my license,” she says. “They need to know their space is safe.”
Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time
Trust doesn’t happen instantly. It builds slowly.
“After two or three sessions, you start to see a change,” Noha says. “They begin to feel more comfortable. They start going deeper.”
A 16-year-old female reflected that before counselling, she couldn’t express her thoughts but now feels more aware and has no shame in talking with Noha. Noha notices that shift in subtle ways.
“I know they are opening up when they start bringing deeper emotions or even physical sensations into the conversation,” she explains.
In recent months, that trust has allowed for more intensive trauma work, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) for those who need it.
What People Are Carrying
While some clients have experienced the lasting effects of war and displacement, many are working through challenges that are universal, like anxiety, family stress, identity and self-confidence.
A 21-year-old male shared he came to counselling to work on his anxiety while a 28-year-old female spoke about trying to cope with the cultural shock and previous trauma in the refugee camp.
Noha also works with clients outside of schools, including young children and newly arrived adults.
“I saw someone six days after arriving in Canada,” she shares. “The need for support is immediate.”
Small Steps, Meaningful Change
Progress often shows up in quiet ways. For one 21-year-old male, it meant feeling like he had gained some confidence. For a 28-year-old female, the most meaningful part was simply “to be heard.”
Others spoke about the tools they’ve learned. A 17-year-old female highlighted how the guidance and the practical tips were helpful while a 16-year-old shared how journaling and being grateful has helped her cope.
Noha sees these as important milestones.
“When they start using tools outside of sessions, that’s when you know something is shifting.”
Breaking Through Stigma
In many communities, there’s a long-standing belief that struggles should be handled quietly.
“There is a ‘just be tough’ mentality,” Noha explains. “That can make it harder to ask for help.”
But perspectives are changing.
“You should not go through life alone. Sharing your pain with someone who understands you makes a huge difference,” says a 28-year-old client.
At the same time, some are still navigating what it means to speak openly. A 16-year-old noted how difficult it can be to talk about mental health in a small community, and a 17-year-old shared she is not ready to offer advice to others just yet.
And that’s okay.
If You’re Thinking About Reaching Out
If any part of this resonates with you, you’re not alone. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. You don’t need the “right” reason. You can start where you are.
Our team offers free and low-cost counselling across New Brunswick. Sessions are confidential, and your privacy is always respected. To learn more about our free Arabic youth counselling, click here.