After an historical review of cultural anthropology, transcultural psychiatry and ethno psychiatry, we will examine the literature on intervention with migrants within mental health system. In the first part, we will consider the therapeutic relationship with Arab-Muslim patients and look at specific issues such as gender differences, individualism, sociality, stigma, religion. The second part will be focused on cultural mediation, migration and family intervention and post-traumatic stress disorder and, finally, the experience of being a foreign therapist. Conclusions will discuss the importance of culture, individuality and universality of human suffering, when treating a foreign patient.