sonal self: A faith-based indigenous ter and loss, grief and trauma work


to any supervision. Why is that? What stopped me? Was it that I recognised it was too difficult a subject, a taboo? Retreat is not always the best option, though it is the safest, as I contribute to colluding in the silencing. As a therapist, I was witnessing stories


told and lived (White, 1992). And part of that process is writing this article. By writing, I am also witnessing my own healing, in that sense an isomorphic experience that is cathartic. At some point, I tried to move the


work onto a meta-psycho-spiritual level within an Islamic paradigm, to begin seeds of some containment. We began initially with some coping methods that were culturally congruent: for example, use of Duas/prayers in mediation/ contemplation, the communal Salah/ prayers with families, and time in community spaces such as in a mosque so as not to isolate oneself, thus building on the idea of relational resiliencies and containment through socio-spiritual activities. We looked at belief from the Islamic


paradigm and principles (Skinner, 2010). For example, the Quranic message and guidance on bereavement/ grief – stopping all work and routine for three full days to grieve and mourn openly with families, neighbours, friends and wider community. A family in this situation would be completely taken care of by the wider kinship and community: for example, all meals, household chores, and anything that is required would be provided. We ref lected on the meaning it might hold for the client about the prophetic stories, such as Prophet Mohammed when he experienced multiple losses in his family within a short span of time (for example, his wife, uncle, children etc.) and how he struggled with his loss. Staying close to the family’s narrative and heritage in


Context 164, August 2019


Nasima attended the silent walk for Grenfell Tower, which has been a monthly event for the past year and a half


utilising the Quranic stories for healing and helping (Malik, 2018). This family brought multiple levels of


issues to me to focus on in my work. At some point, I was relieved that I was able to do something more practical, which was high on their list of priorities. On many levels, the family was facing basic


needs such as housing (think Maslow’s levels of needs). I offered ‘practical’ intervention in the domain of production such as liaising with the housing association for their terrible housing conditions and over-crowdedness. I saw pictures of their home with mice, rot and damp, two adults and three children


27


The professional, political and personal self


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