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Complementary Therapies in Addressing War Trauma
Seminar, 25-27 January, 2008, Sarajevo
On the 25th to the 27th of January, the Research and Documentation Centre (RDC) held a highly successful training seminar for women of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the RDC Library in Sarajevo. This seminar was to introduce the Women’s Support Program (WSP) to therapists working with war-related trauma in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to provided lectures and training on a multi disciplinary level in treatment of trauma.
The weekend was facilitated and organised by the RDC, Emma Stacey and Alina Anker. Adela Dilber translated the entire weekend between English, Bosnian and German. There were a variety of lecturers from Bosnian organisations specific in treatment of war trauma, with Gabriele Ruys from Germany leading the group for the majority of the time teaching basic massage skills, and introduction to touch and yoga. The entire weekend was free of charge to the participants, with meals and refreshments being provided.
The concept behind the weekend was to network and bring together like minded organizations and individuals based in Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss, workshop and conceptualize new treatments for clients of war related trauma. The seminar was also an opportunity to open up the WSP to the therapists of Sarajevo and discuss future plans and concepts in its development.
The participants included Wings of Hope psychologists, St Francis Trauma Centre therapists, Gestalt therapists, Snaga Žene therapists, students and independent complementary therapists from the Sarajevo Canton. There were also clients from pilot projects of the Women’s Support Programme in Goražde and Srebrenica and also from the Mothers of Srebrenica organisation as well as the visiting international therapists. In total there were 22 participants and 3 guest lecturers.
As well as this opportunity for networking and discussion, the WSP also wanted to teach new skills to the therapists. A successful seminar is one that allows and imparts practical easy to use knowledge. Gabriele Ruys introduced the concept of touch and hands on healing, through basic massage techniques skills. The workshops were interactive and hands on. Together with Emma Stacey, she also led a discussion on, and then a demonstration of, quality of care in practice.
Yoga, stretching and relaxation skills were also performed each day and the participants found it very broadening and encouraged to attempt a more hands on approach in their treatment protocols, this was interesting ands rewarding to the seven trained psychologists present in the group. All activities were simple and basic yet related specifically to the treatment of emotional trauma.
Participating therapists gave short lectures introducing their modalities and a brief background of their personal therapeutic histories, Alina Anker (WSP therapist) on Nutrition, Maja Miljko and Amila Ferušić on Gestalt therapy, Ismeta Ćorić on Macrobiotic foods, and Elma Obarčanin and Bahra Spahić on herbal medicine.
Distinguished guest lecturers included Dr Esmina Avdibegović, a psychiatrist from Tuzla who was highly stimulating with her work on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and her highly regarded work with war veterans. Dr Mevludin Hasanović was also a highlight and spoke on EMDR (eye movement desensitization therapy) in relation to PTSD. Dr Hasanović’s lecture was so popular and interesting to all therapists that we are looking into further seminars on EMDR. The seminar was concluded with an inspirational and interesting discussion from Dr Branka Antić- Štauber (Snaga Žene), a doctor in Tuzla and Srebrenica, who presented her experience of work with traumatized women in Srebrenica and Potočary. She spoke of the need for more body work, as in her practice she had seen pleasing results in relation to easing emotional trauma.
The seminar was very positively evaluated by its participants. They reported learning many new practical skills, gaining new knowledge and understanding of issue related to war trauma. It was highlighted that the seminar gathered health professionals from many different disciplines and encouraged exchanging experience and networking. Participants appreciated high quality of lectures and workshops and expressed their wish to join more such training programs in the future.
The weekend seminar was generously funded by both a private a donation through the Humanitarian Action Committee in Sarajevo, as well as the RDC funds. Lecturers also donated their time, knowledge and expertise free of charge.
Some remarks of the participants:
“I was skeptical of this seminar and thought I knew all there was about the treatment of PTSD, but I have learnt so much and realize there is a whole other dimension in treatment of PTSD”
“I like that we all feel equal in this room and I feel comfortable asking questions”
“Now I know what the WSP is all about I will be able to recommend other women therapists in Sarajevo that I think will be of value to your team”
“I was taught how to massage, but not how to touch with intention the client and how important making a safe, beautiful, clean space to work in was”
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