EXCERPT FROM HEALING THE HURT: A GUIDE FOR DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR TORTURE SURVIVORS, PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, CHAPTER 6
Torture survivors engage in psychological services to pursue a wide range of goals, from single symptom reduction to addressing the complex effects of torture on their families and communities. Psychological effects of torture vary considerably. Likewise, there is wide variation in the types of assistance sought to address such effects, depending on a host of factors ranging from service accessibility to beliefs about health and healing.
Some survivors will have very specific needs, such as getting a good night's sleep or receiving an evaluation of the psychological effects of torture for their political asylum applications. Others may address mental health needs through community activities and institutions that focus on spiritual or physical health. Still others may benefit from a variety of psychological or multidisciplinary interventions as they progress through a psychosocial recovery process that involves any of the following:
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Stabilizing and reducing symptoms
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Mourning multiple losses (family, friends, country, status, culture, etc.)
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Coming to terms with the torture trauma and integrating it into one's life story
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Mourning losses
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Repairing relationships affected by torture, including the survivors relationship to themselves, family, community, and even all humanity
Download the complete chapter on Psychological Services (PDF) (Broadband download time: 1 minutes)
Download a bibliography of mental health related resources (PDF)
PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH SURVIVORS OF POLITICAL TRAUMA: A SELF-STUDY GROUP CURRICULUM
The study guide was developed to meet the needs of local psychotherapists who were interested in learning how to work with torture survivors in psychotherapy. For two years, CVT staff facilitated study groups in which psychotherapists from the local community met once a month for nine months to discuss readings and case material. This guide was developed over the course of several study groups. It contains the curriculum used for the nine group meetings, each of which focuses on a core component of psychotherapy with survivors of politically motivated torture who are living in exile.
These materials are generally available through your public or university library. For materials not readily available there, please consult your librarian.
Download the complete guide (PDF)
Links
American Counseling Association
http://www.counseling.org
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors.
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is a medical specialty society recognized worldwide. Its 40,500 U.S. and international physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses and substance use disorders.
American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org
The American Psychological Association (APA), based in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. With more than 159,000 members, APA is also the largest association of psychologists worldwide.
World Federation for Mental Health
http://www.wfmh.com
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is an international nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1948 to advance, among all peoples and nations, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health.
David Baldwin’s Trauma Information Pages
http://www.trauma-pages.com
This Web site is focused on information related to traumatic stress and emotional trauma. It offers a wide variety of resources including articles about traumatic stress, links to other resources, and psychoeducation. This site addresses all issues related to emotional trauma and traumatic stress, not specific to torture survivors. It is an award-winning, comprehensive Web site.
BrainInjuryResourceCenter
http://www.headinjury.com
The Brain Injury Resource Center is a nonprofit clearing house which offers information about the effects of traumatic brain injury.
European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
http://www.estss.org
The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is a network for professionals in the field of psychotraumatology.
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
http://www.irct.org
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) is a private international health organization based in Denmark that supports the prevention of torture and the rehabilitation needs of torture survivors. IRCT published TORTURE journal and offers current news on torture-related issues. Their Web site offers access to a library database that includes information on the subject of torture, including torture prevention and torture rehabilitation.
International Society for Study of Dissociation
http://www.issd.org
The International Society for the Study of Dissociation is a professional organization whose purpose is to provide information about dissociation, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. ISSD also publishes the scholarly journal, The Journal of Trauma and Dissociation. The Web site offers information for professionals and the general public.
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
http://www.istss.org
The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies offers a comprehensive website for professionals to share information about the effects of trauma. ISTSS publishes the scholarly publication, Journal of Traumatic Stress. This organization offers information on general traumatic stress, as well as information for professionals interested in learning more about trauma treatment. It also offers many fact sheets related to traumatic stress.
National Center for PTSD
http://www.ncptsd.org
The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was created by the Department of Veterans Affairs to address issues related to PTSD. Although this Web site was initially designed to address the needs of veterans with military-related PTSD, it has expanded to include a broader population, with information on the assessment and treatment of PTSD and other traumatic stress.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
http://www.nctsnet.org
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is a collaboration of treatment centers from throughout the United States that have formed a coalition. It is a federally funded program which helps to improve the quality, effectiveness and availability of therapeutic services for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. The Web site offers a resource center with information for parents & caregivers, professionals, and schools. It also offers various articles on education and best practices related to trauma.
National Organization for Victim Assistance
http://www.trynova.org
The National Organization for Victim Assistance addresses the needs of victims of crime. They offer resources and contact information at the federal and state level. They also offer training and some educational material on victim assistance.
National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization
http//www.malesurvivor.org
This Web site addresses issues related to overcoming the sexual victimization of boys and men. It offers resources for survivors and professionals working with male sexual abuse.
Physicians for Human Rights
http://phrusa.org/campaigns/asylum_network/train_mats.html
They offer training materials for mental health professionals who will be providing psychological documentation for political asylum seekers.
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Foundation
http://www.sidran.org
The Sidran Institute is a nonprofit organization that addresses the needs of people who have experienced traumatic life events. The organization offers training possibilities, psychoeducational resources, and articles. The Sidran Resource Center also offers access to database materials related to traumatic stress in adults and children.
Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association
http://www.webster.edu/peacepsychology/torture.html
This Web site offers access to Resources Concerning the Use and Effects of Torture, which is sponsored by the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence, the Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association. They include the American Psychological Association policy statement on human rights as well as an annotated bibliography that includes articles, chapters, and books related to the psychological effects of torture and torture treatment.
The Trauma Center’s Home Page
http://www.traumacenter.org
The Trauma Center is a program of the Massachusetts Mental Health Institute. It offers information about traumatic stress including training opportunities as well as links and resources related to the treatment of traumatic stress. Their Web site includes access to many full articles about trauma.
Welcome to the Dart Center-Trauma
http//:www.dartcenter.org
The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma is located at the University of Washington. It is a global network of professionals from the fields of journalism and healthcare dedicated to improving media coverage of trauma, conflict, and tragedy. The Web site offers resources (including articles) and training related to covering traumatic events including best practices in trauma reporting.
World Federation for Mental Health
http://www.wfmh.com
The World Federation for Mental Health is an international organization made up of members and contacts from 112 countries on six continents. It works toward the prevention and proper treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
