ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that a consistent focus upon the wider social and political context may paradoxically lead to a deeper appreciation of the lived experience of individuals and families. It shows how behind the words lay a wealth of political arguments and debates. A dilemma for practitioners is “how to establish and maintain a sensitive balance between clinical and political dimensions in this work” and the losses and gains of maintaining neutrality when working with refugees. J. Woodcock has integrated political analysis with systemic and psychoanalytic ideas and concludes that the complex interactions with families: can place the therapist in conflict with the aims of government policy. Social constructionism has had a significant influence upon systemic theory and practice in Britain. Renos K. Papadopoulos & J. Hildebrand have applied systemic thinking to their work with refugees and considered the dilemmas at the heart of this process.
