By emigrating, the foreigner has to meet with various expectations and therefore stands under pressure. On one hand, his decision is closely linked to his wish for new achievements and prosperity--his relatives and friends attentively watch over him to make sure that he succeeds. On the other hand, the new environment requires him to adapt to new ways of thinking and behaving. His own values are neither followed anymore nor considered as general guideline through everyday life. In a relatively short time, therefore, the emigrant has to make the strenuous effort to change his views, even if it involves neglecting old family traditions. For the emigrant these demands are often too excessive, so that he becomes insecure and sceptical, finally desperately but subconsciously clinging to his traditional values. Furthermore, he might feel to be surrounded by enemies. All that makes the integration become sluggish if not impossible. Mechanisms of thought and behaviour such as these, are the starting point in family therapy with emigrants. The goal is to make the foreigner more aware of his life in emigration. The experience acquired in family therapy is certainly useful in the rehabilitation of foreign workers who have fallen victim to an accident or an illness.

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Social Values Acculturation Social Environment Emigration and Immigration social psychology social support cultural factor psychological aspect methodology Article Family Therapy human Humans family migration