Dr Nissim Avissar’s book Political Therapy: psychotherapy between the individual and the political has just been published (in Hebrew) by Resling Publishing. Nissim is a graduate of our first ‘Change Agents’ course for Israeli and Palestinian mental health professionals back in 2007. The book connects therapy and politics and is highly recommended.

From the book jacket (translation from the Hebrew):

Political Therapy: psychotherapy between the individual and the political

Many psychotherapists find themselves struggling when faced with the various political issues that come up in treatment, both overtly and covertly.  Many of them find significance and value in clarifying the political aspects of the act of therapy but are afraid to touch upon this loaded issue, or do not know how to approach it. Politics, and its role in relationships of power (both in society and therapy), was thought of, until recently, as a taboo in therapy discourse. In recent decades, following cultural-global changes, the situation has changed and the role of politics found its way into the heart of the theoretical-therapy discourse. Yet there still remains a great measure of uncertainty regarding the possibility of creating a politically conscious treatment, which recognizes the forces acting on the participants of a therapy session, both in the course of the therapy session and outside it.

The book Political Therapy seeks to explain the uneasiness felt by many therapists in the face of politics. Nissim Avishar’s book opens up the possibility of thinking afresh on mental health treatment, in a way that takes into account the real life relationships of those needing treatment and the effects of professional work on the social environment. The book presents a professional-moral position that seeks to advance a physical and emotional wellbeing for everyone. This position does not consider any closed system specifically, and moreover it is not satisfied with an inner change in mental health. It seeks to foster a supportive arena for awareness and activity of therapists – it strives for social justice.

Political Therapy is a groundbreaking book that proposes a revolutionary psychological approach, a vital contribution to the professional field. The book sketches out, for the first time in Hebrew, a clear and detailed narrative of the complex interactions between psychotherapy and politics in its broadest sense. It prepares a theoretical basis for politically conscious therapy work, as well as the guiding principles in implementing this book’s position. The book also references the local Israeli context, which is based on the author’s own field study.

Dr. Nissim Avishar is a clinical psychologist. He is one of the founders of the group “Psychoactive” – therapists for human rights. A lecturer at Kibbutzim College and the School of Psychology at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya.

The book is obtainable directly from the publisher (link).