MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The mental health service component of Connecting Cultures is the only program in Vermont specifically designed to address the mental health needs of survivors of torture.
In response to the mental health needs of Vermont’s expanding community of refugees, Connecting Cultures was established in 2007 to serve refugees and survivors of torture. According to UNHCR, in 2024 there were approximately 22 million forcibly displaced people worldwide due to war conflict, persecution, violence, and/or unstable political infrastructure. These individuals experience chronic traumatic stressors during war, throughout the migration and resettlement process, and post-migration. The Connecting Cultures clinical-science specialty service utilizes a multidisciplinary, evidence-based model of mental health intervention. Student interns and staff work within the
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Connecting Cultures program at the Vermont Psychological Services Leitenberg Center for Evidence-Based Practice and receive comprehensive training in the cultural competencies necessary to successfully work with refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers including at risk children, adults, families, and communities. The social justice model of training highlights the importance of working with cultural consultants, interpreters, and community members.
The Connecting Cultures Program integrates four main components including: 1) Direct Service; 2) Outreach Services; 3) Training; and 4) Evaluation/Research. Our programming is multi-disciplinary, integrating mental health services with social work case management and legal services in addition to a medical referral process. Our services are evidence-based and culturally responsive. Specifically, we utilize both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) frameworks. Connecting Cultures serves individuals across the life-span for a wide range of clinical presentations.
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Connecting Cultures is a specialty service clinic within Vermont Psychological Services 501(c)(3) in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Vermont. VPS has been successfully providing mental health services for over 40 years. Connecting Cultures is specifically designed to provide direct clinical services, outreach, research, and evaluation for refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers.