Accessing cultural expressions of 'Being' and trauma through phenomenological investigation with male African entrants to Tasmania, Australia

This chapter describes a qualitative research study which was envisaged as a partner to humanistic counselling practice. The study evolved from attempts to assist with the traumatic histories of humanitarian African entrants to Tasmania, Australia. Phenomenological methods were selected to allow for engagement with descriptions of "being" which were outside the scope of prevailing western psychological models. Data collection entailed semi-structured interviews with 16 male African entrants to Tasmania, ethnographic observation at gatherings, and two consensus groups. Major themes revealed in preliminary analysis were: an inalienable responsibility for family; assumptions of collective problem solving as an intrinsic part of community living; and an implied interdependent sense of self. This was contextualised within an immediate sense of community which was explicitly inclusive of all other human community members whether living, ancestral, or yet to be born; the physical environment, animals and plants; and spirit influences. Specific recommendations are made for working with the client groups which were part of the study, and it is concluded that a more complex and inclusive idea of human identity is required for cross cultural counselling practice.