The Effects of Group Counseling with Gestalt Therapy in Reducing Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Traumatized People

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the effects of group counseling with Gestalt therapy in reducing psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress among Yezidi Women who have fled the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. It also aimed to investigate the impact of Gestalt group psychotherapy in reducing the flashbacks of the traumatic events in Yezidi women who have been traumatized and experienced traumatic events which will help them to forget about their past experience and start a new life, The participants of the study consisted of (15) women from the age group (14-24) who were selected from Bersiv Camp2 located in Zakho city in North Iraq. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale were used to reveal the levels of depression, anxiety and stress. The data was analyzed using independent sample t-test to examine the mean difference between the pretest and posttest of the level of depression, anxiety, and stress among the participants. The findings of this study indicated that these traumatized women suffered from depression, anxiety and stress. However, after undertaking group counseling with gestalt therapy techniques during two months, their levels of depression, anxiety and stress have been reduced. The differences were put to test and found to be significant. The researcher specified a number of recommendations and suggestions for further studies that will be of help for psychotherapists, psychologists and counselors to design psychological programs and strategies to control psychological disorders among traumatized people; especially women who have experienced traumatic events.