Reimagining Therapy for Survivors of Torture and Trauma

Evelyn Reed · 2026-07-10

### Why Traditional Therapy Can Feel Like Another Closed Door Much of our perception of what "works" in therapy is intimately linked to our cultural ideas of language, trust, and safety. When you're a survivor of torture or state violence, walking into a Western therapy room can feel like stepping into another closed door. Psychotherapist and human rights clinician Azadeh Afsahi dives deep into this problem, examining how the Western framework of suffering and restoration often misses the mark for non-Western patients. ### The Cultural Gap in Mental Health Care Here's the thing: therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. In many Western models, the focus is on individual talk therapy, where you sit across from a clinician and verbalize your pain. But for someone who has experienced state violence, trust in authority figures is shattered. The therapist, even with the best intentions, can feel like another interrogator. That's not healing—that's re-traumatization. Afsahi points out that language plays a huge role. Many non-Western patients express suffering through body aches, spiritual distress, or community breakdowns, not just emotional symptoms. When a therapist only looks for PTSD checklists, they miss the whole picture. ### What Needs to Change So, how do we fix this? It's not about tossing out Western methods entirely. It's about expanding the toolbox. Here are a few shifts that can make a real difference: - **Cultural humility over cultural competence:** Therapists need to approach each person as a unique individual, not a set of stereotypes. This means asking questions, listening deeply, and admitting when you don't know. - **Community-based healing:** For many survivors, healing happens in groups, not alone. Family, elders, and community rituals can be more powerful than a 50-minute session. - **Addressing systemic injustice:** You can't talk about trauma without talking about the systems that caused it. Therapy that ignores racism, poverty, and political violence is incomplete. ### A New Path Forward Afsahi's work calls for a reimagining of mental health care—one that honors different ways of knowing and being. Imagine a therapy room where you can bring your whole self: your language, your history, your community. That's not just better care; it's basic human dignity. > "Healing isn't about adjusting to an unjust world. It's about reclaiming your power within it." — Azadeh Afsahi For mindful living professionals in the United States, this is a wake-up call. Whether you're a therapist, a social worker, or a wellness coach, you have a role to play. Start by questioning your own assumptions. Learn about the histories of the people you serve. And remember: sometimes the most therapeutic thing you can do is step back and let the patient lead the way. ### Practical Steps for Professionals - **Educate yourself:** Read about the impact of state violence on mental health. Seek out training from non-Western perspectives. - **Adapt your practice:** Offer flexible formats—group sessions, outdoor meetings, or even art-based therapy. - **Advocate:** Use your voice to push for policies that fund culturally responsive care. The bottom line? Traditional Western mental health care has a lot to offer, but it's not the whole story. By opening the door to other ways of healing, we can create a system that truly serves everyone.