From moral condemnation to acceptance, compassion and understanding of context: Reflections on practice principles supporting healing in families from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds

Abstract

Informed by participatory action research methodology, this article adopts a unique collaborative co-writing process providing a means for practitioners of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds to share and reflect on family work, including but not limited to family therapy, happening across a specialist torture and trauma recovery service. Through exploring historical and contemporary ways of working with families at the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma, an agency providing support to people from refugee backgrounds, some common practice principles were identified as well as key theories and frameworks underpinning collective family work. Guiding principles identified include: the need for a systemic lens, flexibility in service delivery, building safety and trusting relationships, cultural humility and valuing lived experience, recognising complexity and avoiding assumptions, and listening and responding to client and community needs. In moving away from moral condemnation, the article underscores the value of thinking systemically and abiding by recognising each family's unique story and the need for culturally sensitive interventions. Ongoing opportunities to connect over practice are considered valuable for practitioners engaged in different types of family work.