Welcome to the SURVIVORS Resource Page! Here you will find educational and training materials, worksheets, and articles to help our community better understand and support the needs of torture survivors.

Resources for Educators

SURVIVORS’ 2023 Educator Training Handbook will provide you with the tools to:

Learn how new-arrival students may be torture survivors or members of torture survivor families.
Identify common signs, symptoms, and behaviors of students who have experienced extreme trauma.
Learn how to refer students and families to SURVIVORS’ free services to help them heal and thrive.
Understand trauma-informed approaches, activities, and techniques to use in the classroom.

Download the entire Educator Training Handbook and individual worksheets below.

SURVIVORS’ Educator Training Handbook

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script (KIDS)

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script (EDUCATORS)

Color Your Feelings Worksheet

Name Your Feelings Coloring Worksheet

My Safe Space Worksheet

Resources Related to the Istanbul Protocol

Istanbul Protocol in Asylum Evaluations Presentation (Dr. Vicent Iacopino, 2023)

Istanbul Protocol 2022 Empowers Health Professionals to End Torture (The Lancet, 2022)

Professional Articles

Torture Survivors and Asylum: Legal, Medical, and Psychological Perspectives (The American Journal of Medicine 2023)

Specialized Care for Survivors of Torture in the United States and California (NCTTP 2023)

The Tortured: Sorrow and Respect (The American Journal of Medicine 2022)

Foot Torture (Falanga): Ten Victims with Chronic Plantar Hyperpigmentation (The American Journal of Medicine 2016)

Vicarious Resilience (Family Process 2007)

Join the Healing Society Today

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.

MENTAL HEALTH 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.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.

PSYCHIATRIC CARE

SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.

PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION

SOCIAL and PEER SUPPORT

SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.

FORENSIC EVALUATIONS

SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.