Citation

Akinsulure-Smith AM, Ghiglione JB, Wollmershauser C. Women Ther. 2008; 32(1): 105-120.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02703140802384602

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article discusses the creative use of the group treatment modality to provide psychosocial support to African women refugees and asylum seekers with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who have fled to the United States. In particular, this article describes the African Women's Wellness Group developed by Nah We Yone, Inc., a small grassroots organization in the New York City area. This women's group draws on the tenets of traditional Western group psychotherapy while using African cultural awareness to provide healing. The rationale for this type of treatment, group design, specific techniques used to provide healing, along with various group-related themes and challenges are described. This type of treatment provides an example of the usefulness of group therapy technique with traumatized displaced women struggling to survive in a new cultural setting.

Keywords

trauma; war; refugees; group; asylum seekers; African women