Project United Families: psychotherapeutic care offered to a social risk population

Abstract

The aim of this report is encouraging reflection about psychotherapeutic care delivered to a community at social risk. During the period July 2005-July 2006 counseling sessions were held at a philanthropic institution, the Association for SocialWorks of the St. Michael’s Parish in the city of Simões Filho (Bahia, Brazil). The initiative was part of the Project United Families, implemented by the before mentioned association. Issues such as self-esteem and the possibility of social reinclusion were discussed in weekly meetings to enable the individuals introduce changes into their reality of life and help them adopt an attitude towards good citizenship. This work was conducted following the concepts of “Extended General Practice” which provides us with a new way of dealing with and trying to minimize poverty and of revitalizing the individuals desire outside the doctor’s office, at informal community-based institutions that represent potential resources capable of producing sense, contractibility and wellbeing.