Intercultural Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy with asylum seekers from the perspective of existential analysis

Encounters with and engagement with refugees and migrants are becoming increasingly significant in the 21st century. This paper examines psychotherapeutic work with people from other cultures, and in particular with asylum seekers in Austria, from an existential-analytical perspective. The paper discusses both the specific characteristics of asylum seekers' life situations - and their impact on the four basic motivations - as well as the specific characteristics of working with asylum seekers and the key themes in psychotherapeutic work. It highlights existing shortcomings, but also suggests ways in which psychotherapy with asylum seekers can be successful. A particular aim of this work is to foster a better understanding of this patient group amongst psychotherapists and thereby increase acceptance of specialist work with asylum seekers.