Refugees, Forced Migration and Intercultural Therapy
Researchers
Alexandra Liedl, Theresa Koch, Thomas Ehring
Collaborators
Refugio München
Description
The majority of refugees who come to Germany have experienced multiple trauma in their home country and on their way. Besides past traumatic events, additional distress is caused by postmigration stressors, like long-lasting placement in collective housing, limited or no work permit and the insecure outcome of the asylum proceedings. Postmigration stressors contribute to the maintenance and deterioration of mental disorders.
As most psychological treatments are based on western models there is a need to adapt interventions to the specific needs of refugee groups.
In close cooperation with Refugio München - treatment center for traumatized refugees and torture survivors - we investigate the consequences of forced migration and traumatic experiences in refugees. Based on these results we develop and evaluate intercultural therapy modules. Currently we are focusing on emotion regulation and transdiagnostic culture-sensitive treatment methods for traumatized refugees.
Related publications from our group
- Koch, T., Ehring, T., & Liedl, A. (2017). Skills-Training der Affektregulation: Ein kultursensibler Ansatz: STARK. Entwicklung und erste Erfahrung mit afghanischen Geflüchteten. Psychotherapeutenjournal, 4, 316-323.
- Liedl, A., Böttche, M., Abdallah-Steinkopff, B., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2017). Psychotherapie mit Flüchtlingen. Stuttgart: Schattauer