Part of the Problem, Part of the Solution? Exploring the Psy-Disciplines' Position in Counter- Radicalisation and Muslim Wellbeing

This thesis portfolio comprises three parts:Part One: Systematic Literature ReviewThis systematic literature review examines the impacts of counter-terrorism and surveillance measures on Muslim communities across the Global North in the post-9/11 era. The study specifically analyses how these policies affect psychosocial wellbeing, community cohesion, access to support systems and civic engagement, whilst considering intersecting factors of gender, religion and race.Using PRISMA guidelines, the researcher conducted a systematic review of 17 qualitative studies from various databases, focusing on research from North America, Europe, and Australasia.The findings revealed three main themes: impacts on belonging and identity, expressions of resistance, and surveillance environments. Counter-terrorism measures were found to create "provisional citizenship" conditions, where belonging becomes dependent on security compliance. Younger Muslims showed stronger national identification whilst being more likely to challenge security policies. Gender emerged as a crucial factor, with Muslim women who wear visible religious markers experiencing distinct forms of surveillance that combine security concerns with cultural prejudices.Whilst the review was predominantly UK-focused, it concluded that counter-terrorism measures have far-reaching consequences across various national contexts. The researchers recommend expanding the focus of future research beyond the UK to examine different nations' policies, digital surveillance impacts, and community resistance strategies.Part Two: Empirical PaperThis empirical study investigated how psy-practitioners understand and navigate the depoliticisation of UK Muslims within therapeutic settings, examining the intersection of professional practice, institutional constraints, and moral distress. Through semi-structured interviews with twelve psy-practitioners working in public health services, the research is inspired by Fairclough's critical discourse analysis to examine how language shapes and maintains power relations in therapeutic spaces.Two key overarching discourses emerged from the analysis: 'Western hegemony versus the Globe' and 'Person versus Persona'. The findings revealed significant gaps in training regarding political engagement, complex power dynamics in predominantly white spaces, and widespread self-censorship among practitioners. Geographic disparities and hierarchical structures further complicated practitioners' ability to engage with political dimensions of practice.The study identified pronounced moral distress arising from navigating institutional constraints, particularly when addressing politically unsanctioned or sensitive topics. Practitioners reported feeling unable to meaningfully engage with political dimensions of practice, especially in contexts where certain political discussions were institutionally sanctioned while others were discouraged.The research highlights urgent needs for comprehensive political inclusion in clinical programmes and institutional reforms to create spaces for political dialogue. These findings contribute to understanding how political contexts shape clinical practice and inform systemic changes in mental health care delivery for marginalised communities.Part Three comprises the Appendices