Therapeutic Interventions with Israeli Children Exposed to Continuous Traumatic Stress of Political Violence

Abstract

This chapter reviews theoretical and clinical issues related to living under continuous traumatic stress (CTS) due to exposure to political violence. Through an analysis of CTS experienced by the residents of the southwestern area of Israel, the chapter presents an approach to therapeutic interventions for children and families that advocates the adaptation of extant therapies to the CTS situation. An illustrative case study is presented, and the effect of external threat on the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client is discussed. The chapter concludes with recommendations for therapy with children who are exposed to CTS and suggestions for future research for assessing interventions of the kind described in this chapter.