Medu Psyche’ Center

The objective of this project is to implement activities dedicated to the cure, prevention and opposition of all phenomenon related to torture as well as inhumane, cruel and degrading treatments.

The project’s specific objectives are to:

Provide medical and psychological assistance to survivors of torture and inhumane, cruel and degrading treatment.
Document, testify, research and teach about these related phenomena.

The project employs an integrated approach, offering clinical care alongside psychosocial support. The clinical services offered include medical therapy, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and culturally adapted techniques for the treatment of traumatic memories. The psychosocial component offers individualized programs to support patient rehabilitation and integration, as well as workshop activities such as theater and music groups.

The project activities are conducted by a multidisciplinary team that includes:

Physicians,
Psychotherapists,
Psychologists,
Cultural Mediators,
Psychosocial operators

The team operates within an integrated and cooperative setting in order to favor a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to patient care. This setting also serves to prevent the effects of vicarious trauma as well as strengthen the therapeutic alliance.

The clinical approach employed is implemented in phases following the international trauma guidelines. These are:

Stabilization: create a therapeutic alliance between the patient and the staff;
Cultivation of patient awareness and knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder;
Management of invalidating emotional states;
Reduction in perceived threats and negative belief of the world;
Processing of traumatic memories;
Acceptance of the past and loss;
Integration and synthesis;
Interruption of dysfunctional interpersonal patterns;
Acceptance of one’s self, life and future.

Project summary

Name

MEDU Psyche’ Center

Intervention

Medical, psychological and social support.

Beneficiaries

Men, women, regardless of their juridical status, who have experienced torture or inhuman and degrading treatments (CIDT)

Time

2016-ongoing

Location

Rome

Cofinanced by:

LDS Charities, UNHCR, Fondo 8×1000 IRPEF 2019

How to become a volunteer

Contacts

MEDU Psychè Center medupsyche@gmail.com
Tel. e fax 06/8419556; .

Open on

Mondays and Thursdays 10AM-1PM/3-7PM; Wednesdays 2-7PM

Activities

• Witnesses group – transcription of patients’ stories
• Buddy group – social and cultural support
• Music group, open to MEDU’s patients and volunteers

News from the project

28 October 2020