CBT/therapy after an abusive marriage and living in a warzone?

I'm a bit out of my depth here (I've had a fair bit of counselling myself but for different reasons to your friend). I did volunteer & work for a mental health charity but that was a long time ago & I'm very out of date with what's current, however & quick look at Relate would suggest that they might be worth a look. I think that they've expanded beyond just relationship counselling, but should be very relationship aware (although war trauma may be beyond what they normally deal with). At least it would be worth talking with them as to whether this is something they could help with.

I hope that she manages to find something that can offer her meaningful support.

Whilst not the same reason as such, I have had CBT in the past. It sort of worked but only as a patch up. However, EMDR has been much more effective. I’m back in EMDR again to hopefully close the last few issues off. It concentrates more on trauma which might be beneficial. It took 6 months from referral until getting a first appointment though. 

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/information-about-counselling/

Lots of advice available from BACP.

Maybe she should look at counselling that is thought out for refugees? Therapists working in the field will have more experience with trauma and PTSD connected with conflict and also the complications from unexpectedly finding yourself in a completely different culture to the one you were brought up in which are likely to contribute to how difficult your friend is finding things. Are there any refugee groups in the area that might recommend someone? I looked online but could only see national London based resources which aren't likely as helpful.

HealthLink360 are based out of Carberry Towers just outside Edinburgh (or used to be) and are really set up for aid workers returning from the field but if they can't help directly they may be able to point your friend in the right direction.  I know a number of people who have been through their hands after working in dangerous and high stress environments and they come highly recommended although they may not work in this specific case

HealthLink360 Health and Travel Clinic

She may get some support from her GP. Most have a social prescribing link worker, and they often have decent knowledge of local services, alternatively the GPs themselves might be able to recommend a service tailored for Muslim women - they do exist and in Edinburgh you may have more luck than say; living in Auctermuchty. There's always private counselling, and TBH that's going to be a process of trying different ones until she finds some-one that she can work with. 

I hope she gets the help she needs, its good at least that she has good friends looking out for her. 

If you need a recommendation for a private therapist in Edinburgh then PM me.  She helped me a lot following my abusive marriage and also specialises in trauma.  She does offer discounted rates for various groups including refugees (not sure if you're friend is in this category).  Her main therapy is transactional analysis based but she also uses CBT and other therapies as appropriate.

Just as a very vague point, CBT isn't for everyone and even if it is, the particular person or method you pick might not work great first time, it's important to find something that works for the individual.

(myself, I find CBT just completely unhelpful, given it a good try a bunch of times and it's always been a negative experience. Other approaches are available but at the moment CBT definitely dominates and it can be really kind of infuriating trying to convince people that you need something else)

Great options, thanks very much everyone.

Northwind - noted, it worked so well for me it seemed the obvious answer but I'll keep my requests non-specific when I get in touch with these organisations.

The social prescriber (if they have one?) at her GP surgery is a good place to start. She should be able to send a query direct to them.

One thing I'd say about counselling is that it can take a few goes to find one that you have the right relationship with. Also it's not a protected term, so anybody can (and do) call themselves a counsellor. The BACP website above is a good place to start, as anyone registered with them has a recognised qualification.

I'd suggest that when you see a counsellor, you should feel listened to. If you do not then they're probably not the right counsellor. At the same time, you should also feel challenged on occasion. Not relentlessly, but it should feel as if they've pushed you to question your assumptions.

My best breakthroughs came when I walked away from sessions almost grumbling under my breath like Mutley. Then a few days later, there would be an aha! moment.

I think I tried two counsellors before gelling with the third one.