On September 17th, the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP) held their annual symposium. This event provided the opportunity for survivor of torture programs to join virtually. They discussed recent events, local and national updates, and the variety of services and resources each program relies on. The Libertas Center’s Executive Director Dr. Dinali Fernando was invited to introduce the keynote speaker and moderate discussion.
Ashley Mitchell (MSW) and Cybele Martinez (BA) took part in the symposium as well. Ashely, Cybele, and Dinali added their invaluable experiences to the discussion, and they focused on their best practices surrounding treatment for torture victims, mental health maintenance, and service improvement.
“I attended in order to expand my knowledge of survivors of torture programs and how I can also improve my skills as a clinician,” Cybele said. “I learned a lot from my peers who have 20 plus years of experience in this field, especially about prioritizing cases and how to stay informed about the cultures we serve.”