Happy International Women’s Day!
Today, March 8, is the internationally recognized day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is a day to acknowledge the historical and contemporary accomplishments of women as well as the progress yet to be made towards gender equality. In honor of International Women’s Day the Beyond Torture blog is featuring one of our important programs – the Women’s Group. The group empowers and supports women and serves as a safe place for women clients to share their experiences, establish trust, and build community.
The group began in September 2015, and is facilitated by Dawn Stary, American Pastoral Counselor, with the assistance of Warsan Mahomoud and Claudia Harris-Stewart, two of SURVIVORS’ social work interns. Dawn utilizes a strength-based, holistic, and recovery-oriented approach that incorporates mindfulness, spirituality, and prayer into the women’s journey to healing. The goal of the women-only weekly group is to build a level of trust and safety among the women as well as to create a safe space for women clients to feel comfortable sharing their feelings and personal experiences. It also serves as a social outlet where women get to know one another through series of questions and interactive activities. Recently the women have done activities like drawing images that represent their fear and joy, creating maps of their lives, and discussing each individual’s talents and abilities.
However, it is not without obstacles that this level of rehabilitation and empowerment is able to occur. One of the obstacles faced by the women’s group is a language barrier. To ensure that no one’s message gets lost in translation and everyone is able to express themselves comfortably, Warsan and Claudia schedule women interpreters to assist the women. Another obstacle is that every client is at a different point along their journey of healing. While it does prove to be difficult to encourage the same level of participation due to this disparity, Dawn emphasizes that this obstacle has benefited the women. It either allows women to see how much progress they’ve made or offers hope to those who are at an earlier stage of healing. Despite the diversity in culture, age, language, and healing, the women are able to find commonalities in their experiences while simultaneously learning from one another, providing empathy and support to the group. This inter-generational, intercultural, and interpersonal connection allows these women to move forward and focus on their common path along the road to recovery.
Dawn, Warsan, and Claudia all expressed joy at witnessing the transformations of the women since they began attending the group. These women, who have experienced unimaginable torture, demonstrate an unwavering level of resiliency and perseverance. In honor of International Women’s Day, SURVIVORS is proud to feature their hope, strength, and resilience for survivors of torture and women worldwide.
We’re a healing resource to survivors of torture and their families without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic or immigration status.
SURVIVORS can provide specialized care and support to empower you in your healing journey to become a self-sufficient and healthy member of your family and community. We are able to offer services to torture survivors and their families free of charge. Professional interpretation is available.
To find out if you qualify for services, please call us at 619-278-2400 to talk with an expert staff member.
Pro-Bono volunteer physicians perform medical evaluations for clients’ asylum cases. Physicians write medical affidavits for attorneys to present in court, documenting that there is physical evidence of torture. Medical evaluations are always done in person, either at SURVIVORS’ office or a secondary location. Interpreters are provided for this service. Applicant’s medical licenses must be up to date.
Contractors accept clients for individual, couples or family therapy on a case-by-case basis. You choose your availability and create your own schedule. Therapy sessions may occur in your office setting in the community, Survivors’ office space, in-home, or via telemedicine. SURVIVORS provides compensation for your work. We will also provide professional interpreters to work with you.
You are not alone. We’re here to help. We’re a healing resource to survivors of torture and their families without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic or legal status.
SURVIVORS can provide specialized care and support to empower you in your healing journey to become a self-sufficient and healthy member of your family and community. We are able to offer services to torture survivors and their families free of charge. Professional interpretation is available.
To find out if you qualify for services, please call us at 619-278-2400 to talk with an expert staff member.
PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES
SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.
MEDICAL SERVICES
SURVIVORS’ provides support for Survivors with medical needs like finding a physician for general health care or connecting with a vision provider to receive glasses.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.
PSYCHIATRY
SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.
PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION
SURVIVORS facilitates professional, trauma-informed interpretation so our clients can receive services in their native language or dialect to best support their healing process and care.
HEALING CLUB
SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.
AYSLUM SUPPORT
SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.
ASYLUM SUPPORT
SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Services to address essential needs such as food, clothing, and housing. We distribute blankets, backpacks and educational supplies, public transit passes, and hygiene items.
MEDICAL SERVICES
SURVIVORS’ provides support for Survivors with medical needs like finding a physician for general health care or connecting with a vision provider to receive glasses.
PSYCHIATRY
SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.
HEALING CLUB
SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.
INTERPRETERS
SURVIVORS partners with professional, trauma-informed interpreters so our clients can receive services in their native language or dialect to best support their healing process and care.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Services to address essential needs such as food, clothing, and housing. We distribute blankets, backpacks and educational supplies, public transit passes, and hygiene items.