APARTHEID IN SOUTH-AFRICA - TOWARD A MODEL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION

In this paper the authors argue that Euro-American 'mainstream' models of psychological intervention have limited value in the context of So uth African apartheid. Given the unique nature of political oppression and economic disparity, apartheid in South Africa is a contributing e tiological factor in the onset of psychological difficulties. The case is made that counselling and psychotherapy must go beyond merely deal ing with intrapsychic phenomena, toward a mandate to address political , economic and social variables which influence behavior. Reformulatio ns have occurred in the nature and form of apartheid resulting in a dy namic political and economic system that promises further shifts in th e future. Given the undeniable delay between legal and political chang e on one hand, and the fundamental transformation of South Africa from a position of racism and violence to a democratic, non-racial society on the other hand, the search for alternative psychological intervent ion models will remain an imperative.