CVT’s international programs focus on building local capacity to heal torture survivors – training local practitioners, helping local centers become stable and robust financially and organizationally, and facilitating communication and skill-sharing among centers. Ideally some local centers will emerge as regional leaders and go on to train and support others.

Through the International Capacity-Building Project CVT assists 16 treatment centers outside the U.S. that have the potential to become regional leaders in treating torture survivors. We provide technical assistance and training in organizational development and clinical skills. The project has a particular focus on programs that expand support for human rights.

CVT also operates treatment and training centers in refugee camps and war-ravaged towns in West Africa. The goal of this program, too, is to leave behind a functioning mental health network that will continue to serve the communities’ needs.

It is our goal to expand the international resources available to protect, encourage and heal survivors of torture, including fostering new tactics and strategies for the prevention of torture.