Abstract

The legal and humanitarian response to the world's growing population of refugees and migrants has created more awareness of not only the physical but also the psychological needs of displaced peoples. Refugees are often the forgotten victims of war violence and political upheaval, subjected to the traumatic loss of family and home and the consequent deterioration of cultural identity as they seek asylum in other countries.

Ditty Dokter is joined by contributors from a number of multicultural backgrounds, in a volume examining the issues surrounding intercultural arts therapies as a means of working with clients who are refugees and migrants. The role of art, music, dance, and drama in healing the effects of trauma and restoring the sense of cultural and personal identity is discussed, emphasising the need for sensitivity to cultural differences in practice. The ultimate aim is to promote more awareness of intercultural issues in an attempt to build a broader framework for arts therapy practice.

If, as an art therapist, you work with refugees or victims of political violence and war, this is a most invaluable book. If you are willing to look at the world from a different point of view, ponder your own assumptions, and enter into an enriching discussion of culture, then this is a fascinating, delightful book. If you feel stirrings to perform radical acts of restoration, connection and creativity in the world around you, then Arts Therapists, Refugees and Migrants: Reaching Across Borders is an inspiring book that will leave you reassured, hope-filled, and looking for places to perform radical acts of art therapy.
Art Therapy
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those who are students and practitioners of all helping services, particularly the arts therapies and all forms of non-verbal therapy. It enables us to reach beyond the boundaries of our lives and appreciate the many ways we may extend the boundaries of our cultural assumptions.
R.M. Simon, President NIGAT, Honourary and Founder Member BAAT
This significant book consists of 15 essays from arts therapists working in various ways with refugees, and as immigrants themselves...I recommend this book without reservation. It has relevance for counsellors, therapists and arts therapists who might need to examine their personal, professional and political attitude towards race and culture. In a society, a world which is ever more multi-cultural, this book is a must.
Counselling