Applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Thought Field Therapy in Kurdistan region of Iraq: A retrospective case series study of mental-health interventions in a setting of political instability and armed conflicts

Seidi, Pegah A.M.; Jaff, Dilshad; Connolly, Suzanne M.; Hoffart, Asle

doi:10.1016/j.explore.2020.06.003

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The most dramatic comparison was a retrospective study conducted in Kurdistan with 24 traumatized patients who had experienced atrocities, political upheavals, and ongoing violence, all treated by the same clinician in an individual therapy format (Seidi et al, 2021). The therapist's primary modality had been CBT until subsequently receiving training in Thought Field Therapy.…”

Section: Two Additional Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating the manual stimulation of acupuncture points into psychotherapy: A systematic review with clinical recommendations.

Feinstein¹

2023

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

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The integration into psychotherapy of protocols using the stimulation of acupuncture points by tapping on them, a form of acupressure, is increasingly appearing in clinical practice. An underlying premise is that the procedure generates activating and deactivating signals which, in real time, impact brain areas aroused by a client’s focus of attention. This makes it possible for a therapist to rapidly facilitate cognitive and neurological changes by shifting the wording and images that accompany the tapping. The approach has been controversial, with both enthusiastic proponents and adamant critics. A total of 309 peer-reviewed, English-language journal articles have focused on this development. The aim of this article is to put these reports into context using a “hierarchy of evidence” model. In a hierarchy of evidence, judgments about the efficacy of a clinical approach are formed according to the relative strength of the types of studies supporting the method. The hierarchy of evidence for psychotherapies that use tapping on acupuncture points includes 28 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 125 clinical trials, 24 case studies, 26 reports describing systematic observations, 17 mixed-method clinical trials that included a tapping component, and 88 articles addressing clinical procedures, theory, mechanisms, or related issues. Consistency in positive outcomes following the tapping of selected acupuncture points for a range of conditions was identified and weaknesses in study designs discussed. Mechanisms of action are briefly considered and suggestions for integrating acupoint tapping protocols into clinical practice are presented. The article concludes that although further research is needed, the growing evidence base documenting the effectiveness, speed, and durability of the approach appears promising.

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Section: Two Additional Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating the manual stimulation of acupuncture points into psychotherapy: A systematic review with clinical recommendations.

Feinstein¹

2023

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

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“…One of the two that was not a controlled trial gives a feel for the differences as experienced by those receiving the treatments. It was a retrospective study in Kurdistan with individuals who had experienced ongoing violence, atrocities, and political upheavals during and after the Iraq War ( Seidi et al, 2021 ). Treatment outcomes were evaluated for clients who had been assigned to a single psychotherapist over a 2-year period.…”

Section: Comparison Studies Of Psychological Interventions Following ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Uses of Energy Psychology Following Catastrophic Events

Feinstein

2022

Front. Psychol.

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Energy psychology, as most widely practiced, integrates the manual stimulation of acupuncture points with imaginal exposure, cognitive restructuring, and other evidence-based psychotherapeutic procedures. Efficacy for energy psychology protocols has been established in more than 120 clinical trials, with meta-analyses showing strong effect sizes for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The approach has been applied in the wake of natural and human-made disasters in more than 30 countries. Four tiers of energy psychology interventions following the establishment of safety, trust, and rapport are described, including (1) immediate relief/stabilization, (2) reducing limbic arousal to trauma-based triggers, (3) overcoming complex psychological difficulties, and (4) promoting optimal functioning. The first tier is most pertinent in psychological first aid immediately following a disaster, with the subsequent tiers progressively being introduced over time with complex stress reactions and chronic disorders. Advantages of adding the stimulation of acupuncture points to a conventional exposure approach are identified, and challenges around cultural sensitivities and unintended effects are discussed. After establishing a framework for introducing energy psychology in disaster relief efforts, reports from a sampling of settings are presented, based on interviews with this paper’s author. These include accounts of relief work with survivors of mass shootings, genocide, ethnic warfare, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of other reports from the field show a pattern of strong outcomes following the use of energy psychology in the days or weeks after a disaster and in the subsequent treatment of trauma-based psychological problems. Many of these accounts corroborate one another in terms of rapid relief and long-term benefits. Finally, examples of more efficient delivery methods utilizing large groups, lay counselors, digital technology, and cultivating community resilience are presented.

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“…Culturally-relevant activities increased participants' comfort (Sonderegger et al ., 2011 ). A CBT intervention, when delivered to a largely illiterate population, showed minimal success when compared to thoughtfield therapy, which better suited participants' preference for traditional healing (Seidi et al ., 2020 ). An art-based intervention allowed participants to understand their trauma in a way which made sense to them (Abdulah and Abdulla, 2020 ).…”

Section: Mechanism 4: Cultural Competencymentioning

confidence: 99%

The mental health and well-being of internally displaced female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: a realist review of psychosocial interventions and the impact of COVID-19

Lobanov-Rostovsky

Kiss

2022

Glob. Ment. Health

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Background Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been exposed to recurrent traumatic experiences associated with genocide and gender-based violence (GBV). In 2014, ISIS perpetrated another genocide against the Yazidi community of Sinjar. Women and girls were held captive, raped and beaten. Many have been forced into displacement. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide are high. Limited research has evaluated interventions delivered to this population. Methods This review explores how the global evidence on psychosocial interventions for female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence applies to the context of the female Yazidi population. We used a realist review to explore mechanisms underpinning complex psychosocial interventions delivered to internally displaced, conflict-affected females. Findings were cross-referenced with eight realist, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders who deliver interventions to female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Interviews also allowed us to explore the impact of COVID-19 on effectiveness of interventions. Results Seven mechanisms underpinned positive mental health outcomes (reduced PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation): safe spaces, a strong therapeutic relationship, social connection, mental health literacy, cultural-competency, gender-matching and empowerment. Interviews confirmed relevance and applicability of mechanisms to the displaced female Yazidi population. Interviews also reported increased PTSD, depression, suicide and flashbacks since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant disruptions to interventions. Conclusion COVID-19 is just one of many challenges in the implementation and delivery of interventions. Responding to the mental health needs of female Yazidis exposed to chronic collective violence requires recognition of their sociocultural context and everyday experiences.

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Applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Thought Field Therapy in Kurdistan region of Iraq: A retrospective case series study of mental-health interventions in a setting of political instability and armed conflicts

Cited by 8 publications

References 23 publications

Integrating the manual stimulation of acupuncture points into psychotherapy: A systematic review with clinical recommendations.

Integrating the manual stimulation of acupuncture points into psychotherapy: A systematic review with clinical recommendations.

Uses of Energy Psychology Following Catastrophic Events

The mental health and well-being of internally displaced female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: a realist review of psychosocial interventions and the impact of COVID-19

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