Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Refugees and Asylum Seekers Experiencing Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the nature of the difficulties faced by asylum seekers and refugees who present with traumatic stress symptoms and uses existing cognitive models to better understand theoretical issues in these cases. The focus is on those people for whom traumatic stress symptoms are their main problem/pre-occupation. It is acknowledged that these people may only form a small proportion of those who have experienced such events. This paper does not focus on the important multicultural issues integral to this work. A possible clinical pathway is presented, including the role of exposure/reliving, and how it may be adapted where necessary for people who have experienced multiple traumatic events, often of prolonged duration. Discussion of possible psychosocial understandings of torture and mass violence may be important in this work. A case example is presented that demonstrates how this clinical pathway might unfold in practice.