COURSE OBJECTIVE AND CURRICULUM

CURRENT NEEDS OF PROFESSIONALS AND ORGANISATIONS

Many development, medical and mental health organizations and professionals have realized the urgent need for a profound understanding of the forms and consequences of psychological trauma:

· The global intensification of violence aimed at civilians in conflict situations results in a colossal challenge for aid organizations. Aid organizations realize that survivors need more than medical emergency intervention and food provisioning.  Many victims need psychological support and treatment in dealing with their traumatic experiences in order to regain the capability to care for themselves and their dependents.  Psychological, social and human rights-based interventions are required to facilitate the development of new and peaceful societal ways of living.

· Many expatriates who work for aid organizations witness violent acts or realize that they are at potential risk for becoming a victim of organized violence.  Practically all field workers in crisis regions hear from victims about atrocities and see the psychologically devastating consequences in survivors.  While not all the consequences are readily identified by the untrained eye, and while a naive observer may not necessarily understand the connections between violence and severe psychological problems, such observations consistently affect the witness and can even lead to vicarious traumatization in the aid personnel.  Training and adequate safety measures are mandatory to protect the psychological well-being and health of the field workers and to ensure a high standard of professionalism.

· Professionals in the exile countries are required to assess the impact of persecution, traumatic stress and migration, and to treat refugees and survivors who seek their help. Often they are requested to investigate the clinical pathology of asylum seekers. A sound understanding of the psychiatric morbidity and the neuro-physiological changes as well as the human rights aspects, helps to ensure a high standard of expertise doing justice to the survivors and their specific needs and rights, making reliable diagnostic decisions and carry out effective therapeutic interventions.

UNIQUE TRAINING COURSE

vivo’s training course answers directly to the needs outlined above. The uniqueness of this training lies in the fact that we will, according to vivo’s mandate, build a bridge between latest research findings in brain science and its translation into therapeutic, human rights-based and culturally appropriate interventions in the field and exile. Upon completion of this course the participants will have enhanced their awareness to recognize PTSD and trauma related disorder, they will have gained knowledge on how to respond appropriately to different stages of traumatization and posttraumatic growth.  They will have a heightened self-awareness on the impact of working with traumatized survivors, self-processing mechanisms and self-protection measures.  The holistic program of the training targets the development of participant’s skills to deal with feelings of anxiety and helplessness, as well as promote personal coping skills.