13/06/2026
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE ON TRAUMA-INFORMED PARENTING, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALING FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN AFFECTED BY GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
June 8-9, 2026
A team of psychologists from National Institute of Psychology, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad including Prof. Dr. Rubina Hanif team leader, Dr. Irum Naqvi, Ms. Soia Kiran, Ms. Erum Khurram, and Ms. Nur Aneesa successfully conducted a comprehensive two-day psychological workshop at the Family Protection and Rehabilitation Center for Women. The intervention aimed to screen, assess, and equip shelter home residents with vital coping mechanisms. Through a blend of trauma-informed group assessments, clinical interviews, and evidence-based therapeutic sessions, participants were provided a safe space to begin their rehabilitation journey. The workshop commenced with structured participant introductions and mutual trust-building icebreakers to establish psychological safety. A baseline group trauma and psychological assessment was conducted. Staff utilized standardized, culturally adapted screening tools to gauge the collective prevalence of trauma, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among the residents. Detailed Mental State Examinations (MSE) and semi-structured clinical interviews were completed for each participant. These individual sessions allowed clinicians to analyze speech, thought patterns, affect, and cognitive functioning, providing the foundational data required to formulate comprehensive psychological case reports. This extended session focused on group-level therapeutic interventions including stress management, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behaviour therapy to build psychological resilience. Through thorough psychological mapping and immediate therapeutic skill-building, the participants have transitioned from acute vulnerability toward active, self-regulated coping. Implementing the recommended follow-up therapy and staff training will be vital to securing these therapeutic outcomes permanently.