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Chapter 11 - Working with Spirituality in Refugee Care

ACT-Buddhism Group for Cambodian Canadian Refugees

from Part II - Trauma Care for Refugee Families

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2020

By
Kenneth Fung ,
Mony Mok  and
Vireak Phorn
Edited by
Lucia De Haene  and
Cécile Rousseau
Lucia De Haene
Affiliation:
University of Leuven, Belgium
Cécile Rousseau
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montréal
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Summary

Surviving through some of the most horrific ordeals and trauma under Pol Pot, many Cambodian refugees have shown remarkable resilience in forging a new life in Canada. The impact of trauma and loss, psychosocial stressors, and family issues, however, can be a significant burden and cause deterioration in mental health. Untreated mental health symptoms and disorders, due to stigma and insufficient access to cultural competent services, remain a problem. In this chapter, we will share our experience in providing mental health care services for this population in Toronto, especially the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This mindfulness-based psychotherapy is unique in its congruence with Buddhism, the main religion of Cambodians. We will describe our experience of providing an ACT-Buddhism group, exploring the adaptation and use of ACT concepts with related cultural and spiritual beliefs to help promote healing and recovery, as well as empowering patients to deal with their everyday stressors, including improving their family relationships.

Keywords

Acceptance and Commitment Therapytraumacultural competenceBuddhismmindfulnessgrieffamily
Type
Chapter
Information
Working with Refugee Families
Trauma and Exile in Family Relationships
 , pp. 187 - 199
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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