University of Duhok (UoD)

Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP)

After IS controlled large parts of Iraq and killed, arrested, abused, and tortured thousands of people, the severe psychological impact—particularly trauma-related disorders—became increasingly evident. At the same time, health-care systems in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq faced a critical shortage of qualified psychotherapists. In response, the Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) and the Master’s Program in Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (MASPP) were established at the University of Duhok, under the academic leadership of Prof. Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan (Institute for Transcultural Health Science – DHBW) and Prof. Dr.Martin Hautzinger (University of Tübingen).

The high prevalence of psychological distress in crisis-affected regions highlights not only the urgent need for research, but also for high-quality, specialized training for professionals working with severely traumatized individuals. For this reason, the university Master’s program was developed following the German training model, enabling students to obtain a double qualification: a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology and licensure as a psychotherapist.

The IPP and MASPP are committed to educating and training psychologists in psychotherapy and psychotraumatology, with the clear objective of strengthening local mental-health services and ensuring sustainable, long-term impact in the region.

The IPP and MASPP programs are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Württemberg (Germany), and the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).

Project Partners:
University of Duhok, DHBW, University of Tübingen, TCultHS

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Background

Decades of war, displacement, and mass violence in Iraq—especially since 2014—have resulted in widespread psychological trauma among the population, particularly among survivors of conflict, displacement, and sexual violence. The shortage of qualified psychotherapists and trauma specialists in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq highlighted an urgent need for sustainable mental-health education, research, and services grounded in both scientific and cultural contexts.

The Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP)

The Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) was established to address these urgent needs through research, education, and clinical practice. The institute focuses on psychotherapy and psychotraumatology, with a strong emphasis on trauma-related disorders and culturally sensitive, transcultural approaches. IPP integrates knowledge from psychology, medicine, biology, and social sciences to develop effective and context-appropriate mental-health interventions.

Mission

The mission of the Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) is to strengthen mental-health services in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region by advancing research, education, and clinical practice in psychotherapy and psychotraumatology.

IPP is committed to training qualified mental-health professionals through internationally recognized academic programs, delivering trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care, and responding to the psychological consequences of war, displacement, and violence with sustainable, locally rooted solutions.

Vision

IPP envisions a society in which survivors of conflict and trauma have access to high-quality, culturally appropriate mental-health care, and where locally trained professionals lead the recovery and healing process.

Through academic excellence, transcultural approaches, and long-term capacity building, IPP seeks to become a regional center of excellence in psychotherapy and psychotraumatology, contributing to individual healing, social reconciliation, and lasting peace.

Academic Programs

IPP supports advanced postgraduate education by combining academic training with professional accreditation. The institute aims to offer structured programs, including a Preparatory Program and a Master’s Program in Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, following German training standards. Training includes extensive clinical placements in refugee camps, hospitals, and community settings, supported by local health authorities. Teaching, supervision, and professional development are delivered by experienced lecturers from Germany and Iraq.