Therapy for Refugees and Torture Survivors: New H.E.A.R.T. Model

This is a two part series. The webinars are part of the National Capacity Building (NCB) webinar series. NCB is a project of the Center for Victims of Torture.

• In the first session of our  Measured Impact Webinar (MIW) mini-course, “Therapy for Refugees and Torture Survivors: New H.E.A.R.T. (Healing Environment and Restorative Therapy)” Dr. Richard Mollica of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma introduces the H.E.A.R.T. model of care in working with survivors of torture. Dr. Mollica describes the H.E.A.R.T. model and how the concepts contained in it may provide a different way of thinking about therapy with survivors of torture.  Attendees were given tools for hearing the survivor’s story and understanding its importance as an element of healing.  

• The second session of this two-part series will feature a conversation with Dr. Sebastian Ssempijja, Ph.D. CEO/Clinic Director, Sebastian Family Psychology Practice, LLC, and Laura Morrissette MA, LMHC, a therapist with the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT) who will use case studies to share their insights on using the H.E.A.R.T. model in a clinical setting and how it might compare with using a trauma sensitive meditation instruction approach.

Objectives:   

Staff of all disciplines are encouraged to attend. After the MIW, you will be able to:

• Understand the magnitude of mental health problems for refugees
• Describe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how it relates to working with survivors of torture
• Articulate the basic principles of hearing the trauma story
• Identify the key components of the H.E.A.R.T. model for therapy