Minneapolis-St. Paul Healing Services

All healing services are provided on an outpatient basis in our facilities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Our offices are located in renovated Victorian homes to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for the clients.

Each survivor works with a team of care providers, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, massage therapists and physical therapists.

CVT's integrated, multidisciplinary approach to treatment includes the following services:

• medical treatment
• nursing care
• psychotherapy
• physical therapy
• massage therapy
• social services

CVT employs interpreters to assist in the healing process for clients who are unfamiliar with English.

Stages of healing

Torture is an attack on all aspects of a person's life. Its effects reach beyond the individual to the family and the community. To heal the wounds -- both psychological and physical -- we must heal the survivor as a whole person and as a member of many communities. Recovery must eventually include reintegration into social and community life. Clients are guided through three stages of healing:

1. Safety and Stabilization -- re-establishing health and trust

2. Grief and Mourning -- working through what happened

3. Reconnection -- getting back to community, love and work

Becoming a client

All prospective clients are evaluated by a team of psychotherapists, social workers and nurses to understand the individual's situation. CVT is unable to serve anyone who is currently chemically-dependent or was a perpetrator of torture.

CVT currently provides direct services to about 250 people a year. If we are unable to provide direct services for any reason, we refer the individual to another organization for services.

To speak with a CVT employee about becoming a client or for referral information, call 612-436-4800 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The United Way also provides referrals through www.211unitedway.org or by calling 651-291-0211.

For professionals who work with refugees, the CVT publication New Neighbors, Hidden Scars includes a partial listing of resource agencies in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.


For more information on becoming a client at our Minneapolis or St. Paul Healing Centers, download our client services brochure.