Middle East

Middle East Training

• Almost 60 Clinicians trained by Trauma Aid UK
• Clinicians from more than eight countries trained
• Training delivered in Arabic
• EMDR already having a positive impact on traumatised people

 

The last decade has seen a significant increase in populations experiencing trauma in the already traumatised Middle East. The complicated Middle East situation regarding the Israeli/Palestinian problems continue to be unresolved. The Iraq war in 2003 and the situation there both before and after created a chaotic country with traumatised communities. The post- Arab Spring situation in Syria and the rest of the Arab Spring countries continues to make trauma a common day to day reality. Millions of the population have been traumatised by civil war and the need to flee their homes. The entire region is dealing with trauma on an epic scale. The demand for help with psychological difficulties experienced by those who have been both displaced and experienced the trauma of war is overwhelming and the resources to assist are scarce.

The Project began in November 2013. Thirty mental health practitioners from Syria, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey’s refugee camps began their Trauma Aid UK EMDR Training in Istanbul. It was delivered in Arabic by Mona Zagrout an EMDR Trainer from Palestine and her team of facilitators. Emre Konuk an EMDR Trainer in Turkey generously provided his premises for training.

Since then another group of 28 clinicians from the Middle East have completed their EMDR training. In this way EMDR has become known within the region as an effective tratment for trauma. Trauma Aid UK trained clinicians have successfully treated several thousand traumatised people.

Participants were very enthusiastic about EMDR and pleased to have a tool that they feel confident they can use immediately to help relieve the suffering of refugees and compatriots.

It was a humbling experience to work with people whose daily lives are at the coal face of trauma. Their gratitude was enormous. They continue to be supported by Skype both from UK Consultants and Arabic speaking Accredited EMDR Practitioners.

This has been the beginning of a larger Trauma Aid UK project in response to the region’s trauma.

Istanbul is the only safe venue in which to deliver EMDR Training and consequently travel and accomodation expenses make it a costly enterprise.

Trauma Aid UK Trustees would like to express their thanks to:

• Middle East Co-ordinators
  • Dr Walid Abdulhamid, Consultant Psychiatrist and an EMDR Accredited Consultant
  • Dr Derek Indoe, Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and an EMDR Accredited Consultant
• Facilitators
  • Dr Khalid Sultan
  • Dr Hamodi Kayal
• The team of Supervisors

To conclude, some warming comments from the Istanbul trainees:

• For the first time we have been given a new complete approach of therapy, and not a disorganised approach that added to our disorganisation.

• The Arabic examples and experiences (cases) given by lecturers and facilitators enriched the course. The course has given us the motivation for change and cooperation with others.

• I came from Iraq where I have experienced a lot of stress, but this course has made me able to feel happy that I will be able to help my fellow Iraqis and I liked being in this group.

• I felt for the first time that we (Arabs) are O.K. In spite of our differences, we managed to work together.

• This course’s scientific rather than the emotional dialogue might help us overcome crises in the same way (i.e. being enabled to use scientific rather than emotional methods).