International Journal of Group Psychotherapy
Volume 62, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 69-88

Group therapy for refugees and torture survivors: Treatment model innovations (Article)

Kira I.A.* , Ahmed A. , Wasim F. , Mahmoud V. , Colrain J. , Rai D.
  • a Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors (CTTS), Decatur, GA, United States
  • b Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors (CTTS), Decatur, GA, United States
  • c Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors (CTTS), Decatur, GA, United States
  • d Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors (CTTS), Decatur, GA, United States
  • e Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors (CTTS), Decatur, GA, United States
  • f Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors (CTTS), Decatur, GA, United States

Abstract

The paper discusses varieties of group therapies with refugees and torture survivors and the logic behind enhancing traditional group therapies to fit the unique experiences of refugees and torture survivors. It discusses some lessons learned from practice and from empirical research and some recommended adaptations. Finally, it discusses the Center for Torture and Trauma Survivors' therapy group model for torture survivors and describes two of its variants: The Bashal group for African and Somali women and the Bhutanese multi-family therapy group. Group therapies, in this model, extend to community healing. One of the essential and innovative features of the model is that it focuses not only on treating individual psychopathology but also extends to community healing by promoting the development of social clubs and organizations that promote the values and culture of the graduates of the therapy group and the continuation of social support. New graduates from the group join the club and become part of the social advocacy process and of group and community support and healing. This model adds an ecological dimension to the traditional group therapy.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Survivors Psychotherapy, Group Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic group therapy female refugee Refugees psychological aspect methodology Article manpower organization and management human Humans survivor Torture posttraumatic stress disorder
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84858734354&doi=10.1521%2fijgp.2012.62.1.69&partnerID=40&md5=90ba591142ef442a96fdc0791f5194ae
DOI: 10.1521/ijgp.2012.62.1.69
ISSN: 00207284
Cited by: 19
Original Language: English