Torture is complex multi-layered trauma that consists of different and similar traumas repeated over time that targets individuals which belong to certain groups. Groups or collective identity is an important factor in this trauma type (Kira, 2001, 2002, Kira et al., 2008). Torture does not negatively affect and terrorize the tortured individual alone, it also affects their family members as well as the community and the targeted group. The holistic wraparound psychosocial rehabilitation approach treatment of tortured and oppressed addresses the three dimensions affected by torture: The individual, their family members and their ethnic group as well as the community at large. Group therapy for tortured and oppressed are different from other group therapies. Other groups therapies usually addresses single and less complex traumas that target only the individuals’ personal identity.
The goal of our model of group therapies extends to family and community healing. Groups develop their cohesion during therapy to graduate to a social community club for torture survivors’ or oppressed ethnic groups. Group members work together to continue supporting each other and other community members. New graduates from the therapy groups join the club upon graduation or before. The goal is to extend the healing to the families and communities. The Bashal (Peace in Somali language) Somali women group is an example of this model. The women therapy group developed to be a social club for Somali torture survivor women who developed after a year to have their own women club that convene and arrange social activities and work on arts and crafts and have their events to celebrate and sell their products and lobby against torture in the community at large and for women’s rights.
Following this model, currently we at CTTS conduct family and women groups for Iraqi TS families, Burmese men’s group, and Bhutanese family group, African women’s group who survive both torture and HIV (caused by rape during torture). Beside therapy groups, we have preventive groups for healthy family, to normalize family interaction patterns, and prevent domestic violence and child abuse and increase parenting skills.
While the focus of traditional groups are to work with participants to release the distress around the torture trauma, this model is open to address all the stressors in the survivors’ current and previous life, and work from a wellness model. Survival mode makes the present more salient than the past torture experiences. Developing their problem solving skills, assertiveness, and seeking social and emotional support, as well as direct intervention to get them immediate help, was the first step before they were able to talk about their torture experience (Kira et al, in press).
Other direct Mental Health Services
Services are a combination of intensive individual and family therapy, Individualized community support (CSI), orientation, and different specialized therapy, psych-educational, prevention groups that we offer to help serve the health and mental needs of our clients. For clients that need psychiatric services, we have psychiatrists, therapists and social workers on board.
Facilitator |
Group sessions |
Date & times |
Vanessa McAdams-Mohmaud, LCSW and Dr. Asha Ahmed |
Bashal Therapy Group (East African and Somali Women) |
Every Friday from |
Fatima Wasim MS, Dr. Asha Ahmed, and Dhan Rai |
Bhutanese Therapy Group |
Every Wednesday from |
Pauline Weweru, MS and Dr. Asha Ahmed |
African Therapy Group for women survivors of torture and HIV / AIDS |
Every Wednesday from 10:00am-12:00pm |
Yassar Kanawati, MD and Mohamed Jaber MD |
Iraqi Women Therapy Group |
Every other Thursday from 9:00am-10:30am |
Yassar Kanawati, MD and Mohamed Jaber MD |
Iraqi Family Therapy Group |
Every other Thursday from10:30am-12:00pm |
Millie Astin, Ph.D. and Bereket G. Beraki |
Group Therapy- Burmese Men’s Group Therapy |
Was held on Mondays from 9:00am-12:00pm noon. |
CTTS Staff and Outside Presenters |
Prevention Group 1. |
Time Differs |
Glory Kilanko and CTTS Case Managers |
Prevention Group 2. |
Time Differs |
Sessions are offered to all ethnic groups
An average of 6-12 clients attend each group.