Brief Psychoeducational Group Treatment With Re-Traumatized Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Abstract

This article describes the implementation of a psychoeducational group treatment with students with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who were further traumatized by the 9/11 attacks in New York City. The rationale for group intervention and specific techniques utilized to promote emotional and behavioral stabilization and relief, including trauma education and stress management, are discussed. In addition, group-related issues, themes, and challenges are considered. This psychoeducational treatment modality provides an example of the usefulness of group intervention with a re-traumatized population.

Keywords:

• brief group treatment
• refugees
• trauma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith

Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith, Ph.D., a licensed Psychologist from Sierra Leone, is the Chair and Co-Founder of Nah We Yone, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides social and psychological services to displaced African war victims in New York. Dr. Akinsulure-Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the City College of New York. She is also a Senior Psychologist at the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture.