Discusses the problems of engaging refugee families in therapy and the possible benefits of including referring professionals, such as general practitioners, in the first interviews. Refugee clients are referred to psychotherapy when they are experiencing turmoil and trauma; however, cultural and linguistic differences, not to mention daily stresses, hamper treatment. This study encompassed 50 families from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia, who are living in Norway. Half of them were political refugees exposed to serious human rights violations. The interviews explored clients’ problems and expectations and sought to correct misunderstandings regarding the purpose and efficacy of therapeutic treatment. Findings were that the presence of a referring professional or other health care or social service helper (1) facilitated agreement about the type and extent of family therapy; (2) established the division of labor among therapists and other professionals; (3) enhanced mutual understanding of needs and motivations; (4) provided a wider perspective on the challenges of rebuilding a life in exile and thus clarified the usefulness of other types of assistance; and (5) helped keep people off long waiting lists, if assistance other than therapy would be more appropriate. (37 references)
