Mental Health and Violence/Trauma in Palestine: Implications for Helping Professional Practice

Abstract

This article analyses 4 case studies of clinical interventions occurring at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture, Ramallah, Palestine. Each family was of Arab background and experienced violence and trauma while living in the West Bank. The impact of the violence was all encompassing. Family functioning was significantly affected, and individuals experienced such problems as psychological trauma, depression, social exclusion, and economic deprivation. Therapy is important to these cases; but long-term solutions are ultimately political.