Psychosocial Transcultural Games as Tools in Group Counselling, Therapy and Training for Dealing with Crisis and Trauma from War, Armed Conflict, and Forced Displacement

Abstract

The paper aims at introducing an innovative tool of the MGS Methodology – namely, a transcultural game which uses a psychosocial approach – to build resilience of participants undergoing group counselling and therapy within the 5-stage method of Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy (PPT). Armed conflicts, resulting in forced displacement and migration for masses of populations, can have severe consequences in the holistic health of affected people, including their mental health. Practice and studies show that both children and adults are vulnerable and react to trauma and grief by displaying symptoms of acute stress, anxiety, depression, aggression, as well as post-traumatic stress and PTSD, among other disorders. A psychosocial, transcultural game during a group session demonstrates that it is not only an efficient way to reach the masses who need support during a crisis, but also an effective holistic approach that mobilizes the entire being by proactively working with both primary and secondary capacities. Furthermore, it addresses those capabilities as unfulfilled needs or conflict potentials in the four dimensions through key questions during the group debriefing throughout and after the game. The ‘Positum MGS for Group Therapy’ approach consists of a mixed training with PPT concepts and MGS tools and principles. Based on results in the field, it offers to trainers, psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, consultants, social workers and other professionals, who are trained in PPT or other psychotherapeutic modalities, an overview to this innovative tool, in order to help groups of children and adults overcome their crisis and recover from trauma.