Ilajnafsy: web-based treatments in Arabic
Since 2008 the “Ilajnafsy” program has offered people from the Arabic-speaking world who suffer from depression or trauma-related disorders, access to psychological support over the internet. The therapeutic correspondence is conducted in its entirety through a data secure web portal specific to the program. This means that web-based therapies can be utilised as a means of first psychological support in many areas of current or recent conflict.
Background
The treatments offered by the “Ilajnafsy” program were developed using “Interapy”, a therapeutic concept – originally developed in The Netherlands – which was created and scientifically evaluated as a web-based method of treatment for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their work is based on a cognitive-behavioural therapeutic approach, its central component being a course of written therapy for dealing with traumatic experiences. For use in the “Ilajnafsy” program, this therapeutic concept for PTSD was culturally adapted and translated into Arabic. On top of this, the work of the “Ilajnafsy” program has led to the development and evaluation of two courses of treatment for depression – a web-based written therapy course.
We currently offer three different cost-free courses of treatment:
Team and therapists
All of our therapists are Arabic mother-speakers.
The project is coordinated by Sophie Klein (s.klein@ueberleben.org) and Dr. Sophie Clever (s.clever@ueberleben.org).
Scientific evaluation of the “Ilajnafsy” program is overseen by Prof. Birgit Wagner (Berlin Medical School) and Prof. Christine Knaevelsrud (Freie Universität Berlin).
Partners
“Ilajnafsy” is a project of the Zentrum ÜBERLEBEN gGmbH. Our cooperating partners in the project are the Berlin Medical School, the Freie Universität Berlin and the St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
Financing
The project is supported by Misereor e.V. and the Katholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe (Catholic Center for Development Assistance) c/o MISEREOR.
Zentrum ÜBERLEBEN gGmbH
The Zentrum ÜBERLEBEN gGmbH formerly Behandlungszentrum für Folteropfer e.V. (Berlin Center for Torture Victims) has been in operation since 1992, offering cost-free medical, psychotherapeutic and social work-based support for people from war and conflict zones. The work is carried out in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, specialising variously in medicine, psychotherapy, psychology, physiotherapy, social work and creative therapies.
Along with its therapeutic work, the bzfo endeavours to draw attention to the situation of torture victims worldwide. This is done through a wide range of approaches, such as the production of academic papers and its own specialist publications, lectures, participation in conferences, international networking and involvement in related committees.
Webseite: www.ueberleben.org
