Robertson, Mary E. A., Blumberg, Jocelyn M., Gratton, Jacqui L., Walsh, Eileen G., and Kayal, Hamodi
Subjects
*TREATMENT of post-traumatic stress disorder, *POST-traumatic stress, *EMOTIONAL trauma, *PSYCHOLOGY of refugees, *POLITICAL refugees, *PSYCHOLOGY
Abstract
Background: Traumatised asylum seekers and refugees may present with significant and complex mental health problems as a result of prolonged, extreme, and multiple traumatic events. This is further complicated by ongoing complex social circumstances. Concepts: In our work at the Traumatic Stress Clinic (TSC), the understanding afforded by the concept of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) together with the related notion of a phased treatment model, provides a useful framework for organising our work with this population. Clinical Applications: An explication of complex PTSD as it applies to our client group is presented, followed by a description of our phased treatment model and an outline of the core principles, which guide our clinical approach. Our symptom management and stabilisation groups have been developed and refined over time and draw on techniques from a variety of cognitive behavioural therapies. These are described in some detail with illustrative clinical case vignettes. Conclusion: This paper concludes with some reflections on the challenges inherent to working with this complex client group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
The author reflects on the 20th anniversary of the European Society for Traumatic Stress (ESTSS). The author describes the circumstances across Europe when the society was founded in 1993. The author shares how most of the past presidents of ESTSS met in Bergen, Norway. An overview of the papers written by past presidents of ESTSS for the "European Journal of Psychotraumatology" is presented.