Family Therapy in Libya: Navigating Uncharted Waters

Abstract

The last two years have provided me with the opportunity to get acquainted with family therapy, to receive and then deliver this intervention in a humanitarian context necessitated by the political developments on the ground. As a beginner professional, I have found that family therapy interventions are widely applicable as they are pragmatic and versatile. I never expected that family therapy would play such an important role in die work I do. My initial apprehension has been replaced by the acceptance that it is an important component in linking the helping profession with humanitarian work. Furthermore, this development has also helped me assimilate the fact that politics of war not only affect our physical reality, but rather by weakening our sense of efficacy also pervade our psychological wellbeing. Once people become vulnerable, regardless of who or where they are, those of us who have the ability to help with specialized services, and are offered a possibility to reach out, will find it hard to look away. Whether this involvement is defined as humanitarian work, psychological interventions or psychosocial support is inconsequential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)