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## Meet the editor

Dr. Oluwatoyin Olatundun Ilesanmi obtained an MEd in Guidance Counselling and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 2005 and 1999, respectively. She is an associate professor at the Centre for Gender, Humanitarian and Development Studies, Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Dr. Ilesanmi is a clinical humanitarian psychologist, a genetic counsellor, and a gender and development expert

with core competencies in research, evidence-based programming, policy analysis and guidelines development, psychosocial management of sickle cell disorders, gender equality and socially inclusive research, consultancies and initiatives related to sexual harassment and gender-based violence (SH/GBV,) multi-sectoral GESI inclusive programming and strategic planning, and mainstreaming gender equality and empowerment of women and girls (GEEWG) into the humanitarian system.

### Contents


Preface

We live in a time of unprecedented humanitarian emergencies, many of which have been created and exacerbated by natural disasters, insurgencies, and armed conflict. Individual and family resilience is the ability of the family to rebound from life crises and persistent humanitarian challenges. Family systems therapy has become an essential framework to understand human functioning and dysfunction in humanitarian catastrophes. It is a well-recognized psychotherapeutic approach aimed at the family system. Its practice has evolved across geographical locations since the early 1950s.

Clinically, family therapy developed within the context of several therapeutic movements, including child guidance clinics, marriage counselling, and sex therapy. Whilst it is theoretically rooted in the interdisciplinary field of systems theory, or cybernetics, systemic family therapy has prided itself on its usefulness in humanitar-

*Family Therapy – Recent Advances in Clinical and Crisis Settings* explores the structural, social constructionism, and solution-focused brief approaches to systemic family therapy. It regards the family context in humanitarian settings as being of paramount significance for an individual's psychological development and emotional well-being. The book examines how the family interacts as a cohesive unit during humanitarian catastrophes and looks at patterns among individuals that influence or impede the

The scope of the book is within the context of global complex humanitarian catastrophes and encompasses cross-cutting contemporary issues and mental health challenges pertaining to violence, loss of loved ones and properties, rape and other forms of sexual assault, displacement, poverty, discrimination, overcrowding, disconnection from previous sources of social support and food, resource insecurity, migration, sexuality and reproduction concerns, sexual orientation and gender identity, conflict, socioeconomic concerns, disabilities, widespread anxiety, fear, and hardship for the

*Family Therapy – Recent Advances in Clinical and Crisis Settings* also explores the processes and practices of family systems therapy as conducted in humanitarian situations across the globe. It provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art innovative advances in family counselling and psychotherapies for families and couples in humanitarian crises, conflicts, and disasters.

Included in the book are scholarly chapters by researchers, students, professionals, and trainees from diverse locales that document remarkable examples of courage and resilience on the part of therapists as well as clients within the context of humanitar-

ian settings or following the onset of the humanitarian crisis.

potential for change within the family system.

affected persons and their families.

ian catastrophes.
