Center For Survivors Of Torture (CST) - Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
Center for Survivors of Torture (CST) provides culturally competent services to torture survivors using a client centered approach which is multidisciplinary, holistic, and strengths based. This service approach capitalizes on the clients’ resilience and internal resources as well as external support to identify the unique and comprehensive needs of the survivor.
Since its inception in 2000, AACI’s Center for Survivors of Torture (CST) program has provided specialized services – including individual and group psychotherapy, psychiatry, psychological and medical evaluations for political asylum cases, medical, social, and legal services to more than 2,100 survivors of torture and their family members, as well as 2,800 newly arrived refugees from 74 countries. Since July 1, 2021, we’ve received 80 referrals to serve newly-arrived Afghan refugees.
CST’s mission is to open a door to hope and healing by providing rehabilitative services to survivors of politically motivated torture and refugees. We carry out our mission by educating the public, legislators, and service professionals, as well as by publishing research to increase the body of knowledge about refugees and torture survivors.
How To Make A Referral: If you are interested or know someone in need of services, please fill out the referral form and fax the completed form to: (408) 975-2745.
CST Contact Information
Armina Husic,Associate Director, (408) 975-2730 x247
You may also contact the Santa Clara County Call Center and request AACI as a provider
Mental Health Services Call Center Phone: 1 (800) 704-0900
Services for Refugees
Refugees and asylum seekers are forced to flee their home and countries, often at a moment’s notice, in order to save their lives. They may have experienced extreme forms of trauma which can have long-term physical and psychological impacts, requiring both medical and mental health care. They also are managing issues related to displacement of country, culture, employment and family. Their trauma is often exacerbated through the resettlement process, triggered when they attempt to negotiate unfamiliar systems in the United States.
Who is eligible?
- Refugees (including Asylees) who have entered the United States within the last 7 years
- Children through Older Adults
What services?
AACI’s New Refugee Program focuses on Mental Health Prevention and Intervention Services
- Brief therapy (up to 12 months) in various modalities (individual, group, family)
- Collaborate and coordinate case management services with resettlement agencies
- Medication support services, when needed
- Utilize services and interventions that are culturally relevant, strengths based and support the traditional beliefs of the refugee
How to obtain service
If you or someone you know is interested in receiving mental health services or you would like more information, please call the New Refugee Services message line at:
(408) 975-2730 x232
Please leave a message and mention your preferred language and a staff member will contact you.
Advocacy for Survivors
CST advocates for the civic engagement, health care access and social justice for these survivors of torture. We aim to be the voice for these survivors by providing them with the insight into the effects of torture, the consistent care to re-establish trust and bring damage under control, and support to enable mastery of problems in a new country and culture. We also advocate on the State Legislative level to bring awareness about the presence of torture survivors in our state and encourage support of California and national torture treatment centers.
