Medica Zenica Therapy Centre – An example of work with trauma

A broad spectrum of support – Offers open to all

Monika Hauser founded the Medica Zenica Centre for Counselling and Therapy with Bosnian experts at the time of the Bosnian War in 1993. The concept which was developed then has since been expanded and is now implemented in three project locations in Zenica and Visoko with a staff of approximately 80 employees.

More concretely, the women traumatised by war are offered a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary measures with a low threshold. On one hand, medical treatment and counselling as well as psychological and social aid are offered. On the other, women come together for training programmes and vocational training, which strengthens their self-confidence. The mobile clinic run by gynaecologists has become a similarly well-known institution.

Psychosomatic Orientation

The team works together closely on the medical and psychological levels in order to provide the women with psychosomatic treatment, i.e. body and psyche are given equal attention. Survivors` individual sessions with therapists and doctors are complemented by group sessions which activate and fortify their inner strength. Thus, the threat of isolation and remaining silent are gently but firmly counteracted.

Activating the power of self-healing

The therapists at medica mondiale work with a resource-oriented approach which addresses the inner powers of self-healing and the hidden sources of strength that these women and girls are endowed with. Elements of Gestalt Therapy, Psychodrama, Body Work and Family Therapy provide support for this holistic approach.

Incorporating the spirituality and the culture of the country

For many Bosnian women, the involvement of the Islamic theologian – Mualima – has proven to be invaluable. She functions as a mediator between the women and the offers of aid, particularly in rural areas, and can harmonise all sorts of barriers through her position and her knowledge.

Passing on knowledge from woman to woman

In working with traumatised women, passing on experience and acquired knowledge of counsellors to other women, , is important and valuable, not only in the centres and cities. This is the case with our psychologists, who all members of the social and psychological professions , and have been taught by foreign trainers in order to work on the phenomenon of “psychological trauma”. They share their knowledge with other women through courses in continuing education and by using their expertise to counsel other women in war and crisis zones.

• Medica Zenica
• Medica Kosova
• Medica Tirana