An innovative psychotrauma research- and outpatient clinic has been established by the University of Konstanz, Department of Psychology, at the Chair of Clinical Psychology and Chair of Clinical and Neuropsychology, situated at the Centre for Psychiatry Reichenau, Feuersteinstr. 55, Building 22, 78479 Reichenau, Germany. The research clinic collaborates with VIVO (victim's voice), a non-governmental organization (NGO) (www.vivo.org) focusing on the treatment of refugees who have suffered traumatic events. The present initiative of the clinic is supported by the European Refugee Fund/ Europ�ischer Fl�chtlingsfonds/ EFF, which aims to assist refugees who have come to Germany seeking asylum, many of whom suffer from post traumatic stress.
(F.B., a refugee woman, treated by VIVO after having experienced a traumatic event)
At any given time, millions of people in various parts of the world are fleeing from war, forcefully displaced as a result of military actions, and suffering from various forms of organized violence, including torture.
The clinic is offering counseling and treatment of refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological problems, as well as comprehensive psychological, neuropsychological and neuro-physiological diagnostic testing of psychological disorders.
By scientifically evaluating efficacy of treatment and by monitoring the humanity of treatment modalities we hope to increase our understanding of how displaced survivors of organized violence can be best helped both in Europe and worldwide.
The University of Konstanz, Department of Clinical Psychology (and its off-site research centre at the Centre for Psychiatry, Reichenau) has conducted studies examining the physiological bases of posttraumatic stress disorder and the evaluation of the efficacy of 'Narrative Exposure Therapy', a treatment approach that has arisen out of vivo's work in disaster and crisis regions. Among other endeavours, the close collaboration between vivo and the University of Konstanz allows for the scientific development of treatment modalities, as well as other epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic projects which also served as the basis of many Master's level research projects in the Department of Psychology.
It is our intention that this fusion of clinical work, research, and training will serve as a 'model' for other state-sponsored and NGO treatment sites. We welcome ongoing collaboration with other institutions which are working in similar regards.
Download ambulance flyer (German, 4.3 MB, pdf)
For further information on the project in Sri Lanka the following text files can be downloaded:
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