Social Health Care for Healing Syrian Refugees

In October 2014, SHC staff provided training to staff/students/volunteers working with Syrian refugees in Jordan. Training was held at the SAMS (Syrian American Medical Society) in Amman. Trainees included staff from SAMS, Mercy Corps, CARE, and IFSMA(International federation of Medical Students), and independent psychology practitioners. Training topics included: assessing trauma in children; developmental models for understanding children needs in treatment; brain studies and trauma; use of aikido as a tool in trauma treatment; model for understanding belief development as a result of trauma and its redecision; perceptual learning patterns of the brain and its utilization in treatment. Additionally, SHC staff saw several cases designated as difficult cases and within a brief therapy format offered some assessment and treatment. SHC staff met with all the staff and volunteers to provide clinical case review of the cases seen. Review included diagnostic impressions; explanations of the treatment interventions used; and suggestions for working with the cases.

Additonally,  international conferences on transgenerational trauma were held in Amman and in Istanbul, Turkey with additonal training offerings provided by professionals attending the conferences specific to the treatment needs of the refugees. Based on the needs expressed on the ground, new training options are being offered currently through our virtual training programs. While the current trainings in crisis intervention skills, non-violent communication, and stress management continue, we are adding a once a month special training class on topics requested. These topics taught by professionals throughout the world include but not limted to: use of narrative therapy in trauma treatment; addressing self cutting in adolescents; use of expressive art therapy in trauma; and meditation.