Symposia
Positive Psychology
Thröstur Björgvinsson, ABPP, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Director, Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program
McLean Hospital
Belmont, Massachusetts
Alexandros Lordos, PhD
Lecturer
University of Cyprus
Kallipoleos, Nicosia, Cyprus
Eleni Anastasiou, B.A.
Graduate student
University of Cyprus
Kallipoleos, Nicosia, Cyprus
Kalia Nikolaou, B.A.
Graduate student
University of Cyprus
Kallipoleos, Nicosia, Cyprus
Myria Ioannou, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Private Practice
Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Amy Meade, PhD
Lecturer
McLean Hospital / Harvard Medical School
Belmont, Massachusetts
Eugene Rutembesa, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Rwanda
Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
Ernest Dukuzumuremyi, MPH
Programme Manager
Interpeace
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Resilience-Oriented Group Therapy is a strengths-based, trauma informed, and modular treatment, which was developed as part of efforts for recovery and resilience in the aftermath of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. A sample of 5020 participants was recruited to conduct a profile analysis to detect clinical clusters with regards to specific mental health symptoms. Results provided insights which informed the culturally sensitive development of the intervention. Specifically, the group intervention combines elements of psychoeducation, process and narrative to build up agency, responsibility, identity, and motivation for change, and acquisition of resilience-enhancing socioemotional competencies. Distinct variants of Resilience-Oriented Group Therapy were developed, to reflect the predominant clinical presentation of group participants, specifically for, emotion regulation, behavioral self-management, and identity development. The final stage involves reflections on how to apply acquired skills to support community development and transformation. The intervention has been pilot-tested (N=100; 10 groups) in Bugesera district and findings suggest that Resilience-Oriented Group Therapy is effective in nurturing positive emotionality and interpersonal effectiveness in populations affected by traumatic events. Qualitative data and case-reports were positive and encouraging; examples will be presented. A large multi-site RCT of Resilience-Oriented Therapy is under way, in five districts of Rwanda; findings from study will be presented.
