vivo International

vivo is an international secular nongovernmental organization working in the field of Mental Health and Human Rights, focussing on the psychological rehabilitation of people affected by war, organized violence and torture in Europe, the USA and in a number of (post-) conflict countries, e.g., Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, DR Congo and Afghanistan.

Since 2006 in cooperation with the Universities of Konstanz, Ulm and Bielefeld in Germany, vivo International has established structures for the implementation of on-the-ground research in the scientific field of psychotraumatology as well as supporting the re-integration of trauma survivors into a post-conflict society through trauma-related mental health rehabilitation services.

Since 2011 vivo is offering these services in Gulu, Amuru, Omoro and Nwoya Districts in Northern Uganda through the “vivo Outpatient Clinic for Survivors of Violence and Trauma“ based in Pece, Gulu Town. Through this project, clients who suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder due to traumatic experiences during the war with the rebel group “Lord’s Resistance Army“ (LRA) and/or traumatic gender-based violence in the (post-)conflict area, receive the trauma-focussed psychotherapy “Narrative Exposure Therapy” (NET) or “NET for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation” (FORNET) to rehabilitate ex-combatants of violent acts. The success of this treatment is being evaluated through follow-up assessments. The (FOR)NET treatment is carried out by highly trained lay counsellors who are supervised by expert clinical psychologists.

Though vivo’s main focus lies on the highly specialised treatment of purely PTSD, we also offer anger management for aggressive behaviour, family mediation, psychoeducation for alcohol addiction, and suicidal intervention and additionally basic counselling for inmates in Gulu Main Prison.

The vivo team in Gulu currently consists of 21 counsellors.