Therapeutic Practices 
Primal
Therapy
Primal therapy is the core of Preda’s rehabilitative
practice. It divides basic human needs into two categories.
The first covers physiological or biological needs that are
required on a continuous basis for the sustainment of human
life, such as food and shelter. The second category includes
psychological, mental and spiritual needs. These represent the
social dimension of the human being. When either of these
needs are denied to a person they undergo a ‘traumatic
experience of pain’. The manifestation of this pain is
contingent on how the person is conditioned. If a child feels
pain her natural reaction is to cry. If the parents comfort
the child then her response to pain, the crying, is positively
reinforced. However if the child cries and does not receive
any succor or is punished then she will withdraw into herself.
Society continues to encourage the suppression of
‘inappropriate’ emotions. This is typified by the popular
credo that ‘boys don’t cry.’ The negative reinforcement of the
child’s crying leads her to repress her pain.
Primal theory argues that the repression of pain does not allow the child to come to terms with it. Inevitably this maladaptive resolution of traumatic issues may develop into a pattern, through which the child deals with difficult situations. As the number of repressed memories grows it may develop into a “pool of primal pain.” Such a practice causes a build up of tension and anxiety in a person. “Tension resides within the personality and indicates a split in the level consciousness. The reality of pain is pushed onto one level, but the daily realities with the presence of tension is on another level.” This practice may result in a number of psychosomatic disorders, like migraines, ulcers and hypertension.
The various coping strategies developed by these people reflect the repression of their pain. Greater pressure may continue to build, leading to an increase in tension. The person may withdraw from situations which may be potentially uncomfortable. A girl who may have been emotionally neglected as a child will typically be wary or even retreat from anyone who is openly affectionate with her. Such a relationship would cause the resurfacing of memories that the person is ill equipped to deal with. On the other hand it has been known for children, who have been emotionally neglected by their parents, to form unusually strong attachments with relative strangers. This behaviour is particularly problematic as it increases her vulnerability to abuse. In instances where a child has been deprived of material possessions growing it is not uncommon that she may develop kleptomaniac tendencies. These coping strategies are not panaceas and invariably a situation will arise which the person cannot handle effectively. In these scenarios their pain will surface and her inability to deal with it may cause acute anxiety. Traditional techniques of repression merely compound the problem further. When it fails to sustain her she may seek an immediate form of relief. This immediate relief may in itself be a reflection of the person’s deprivation of need. An example of this would be a young person, denied of parental affection growing up, using drugs to relieve the tension and pain.
Preda’s therapeutic approach involves a range of practices across a number of disciplines, including psychology, social work and law. Actual therapeutic interventions include primal I feeling therapy, individual and group counselling and art therapy. Other activities, such as outings, dancing, seminars and workshops are carried out by the social workers and the other members of Preda’s staff team. The girls also work with a spiritual formator, who helps them through discussions around values and moral issues. Finally Preda sees the pursuit of a case by a child against her offender as part of her healing process. This will be discussed in depth later on.
The practical application of primal therapy, known as feeling therapy, looks beyond the coping strategies and tackle the underlying pain. It maintains that ignoring the pain does not make it go away. In order to exorcise it primal therapists argue that it must be expressed in a supportive atmosphere. Only when it is experienced can the person move on and seek to redress the imbalance in their lives. The therapeutic approach tries to relate the tension to the instigating factor. Mediums of expression, such as crying or screaming, may be used to achieve this. When “the breach into the pool of pain is made a flood of memories and tears follow through.” In order for this unveiling of the underlying trauma to be therapeutic it is essential that it is carried out in an atmosphere of acceptance, trust, honesty and love.
As part of its therapeutic intervention Preda uses a level system to determine the level of success achieved by the client. Level 1 is based on deprogramming and the adjustment of the girl to the community life in the centre. This involves intensive psychotherapy and a personal development programme, thus leading to greater self awareness. Level 2 focuses specifically on the inculcation of healthy attitudes and practices. This is attained through the creation of positive personal relationships and a renewal of faith. Level 3 seeks to provide practical application for the growth that the girl has experienced. This may involve leadership training, as well as her reintroduction into schooling or the employment market. Finally Level 4 is based on after care and follow up, helping to maintain and further enhance the growth experienced.
It has been estimated by Preda’s therapists that this approach has an extremely high success rate, between 70% to 75%. However while primal therapy is the major component recovery is also contingent on other interventions, such as family reconciliation, occupational therapy, moral value reorientation, character building and life chances. Success is also dependent on a careful vetting process before a client starts primal therapy. A great deal of ground work must be undertaken to ensure that the person is capable of beginning the therapy. Where a client feels that she is unable to face the trauma of confronting her memories alternative therapeutic methods are used.
Counseling
Counseling is another integral part of Preda’s therapeutic
programme. Both individual and group counseling are carried
out, particularly following a primal therapy session. An
individual session may take up to two hours. Counseling is not
simply restricted to the children. As mentioned already family
reintegration is one of the main goals of the foundation. To
this end counseling is also conducted with the parents. This
provides the children with vital support and understanding
from their primary care givers. However this avenue of
treatment is only possible where the family itself is not
dysfunctional or where one of the parents is responsible for
the abuse in the first place. Under these circumstances
guardians are allowed to fill the role of the parents.
Group
Therapy
Besides focusing on the individual there is also an
emphasis on group therapy. Group sessions seek to empower the
children by involving them in problem solving and in the
generation of solutions. Group sessions are co facilitated by
a psycho therapist or social worker with a mature resident of
the Childhood for Children Project. The sessions are more
structured than primal therapy. They occur on a regular basis,
usually in the morning, and look at their social interactions
and daily experiences. Methods, like games, may be used to
develop an understanding of the groups dynamics. In fact
recreational therapy is emphasized as part of the programme.
The danger of institutionalization is offset by regular
sporting events and outings. The proximity of the centre to
the beach allows the children to visit it twice a week. Other
activities like reading, team sports and creative arts are
also emphasized.
Other
Therapeutic Practices
Personal development and spirituality are important
components of the recovery programme. The children visit the
Missionaries of Charity once a week. This is a charitable
organisation that works with abandoned children and disabled
adults. There they are introduced to topics of social
importance, for example poverty and inequality. This psycho
spiritual approach is not without its difficulties. After
their abuse many of the children are understandably skeptical
about the existence of a God, particularly a benevolent one.
Through intensive work by the centre’s spiritual formator
their faith is reconfirmed. The psycho spiritual technique
helps them to discover their inner selves and enhance
spirituality for a possible enrichment of virtues. Through art
work and other practical applications the children come to an
understanding of the role spirituality plays in their lives.
As a result they gradually develop self control, discipline
and self competence, which are vital components in the overall
therapeutic approach. It helps the children to come to terms
with their abuse, in some cases the children have even learned
to forgive their abusers.
One aspect of Preda’s recovery methodology which differentiates it from other residential centre’s is the emphasis it places on pursuing legal cases against the sexual abusers. The filing of a case is not a prerequisite for entry into the programme or the treatment that follows. A legal case is pursued only at the behest of the child. This usually occurs about two to three months into therapy. It is about this time that the girl may experience a new sense of self confidence, self esteem, as well as spiritual and mental strength. Through intensive sympathetic therapy and a knowledge of their rights the child is empowered to pursue justice.
She is supported in her decision by the centre’s legal team, therapists and social workers. The prepatory process enables her to articulate candidly the abuse that she underwent. She comes to the realisation that it is not something shameful, which should be covered up. It becomes part of her healing process, as the child realises that she is faultless for the indignity she has suffered at the hands of her abuser. She has the right to speak openly about how she was victimised. Such ability further reinforces her dignity and value as a person. She is neither stigmatised nor dehumanised, as her rights are recognised and upheld by society’s institutions, the courts.
A further critical point to consider is the influence that the prosecution of a case may have on the girl’s peers in the centre. Her action can inspire the other victims of abuse, who may tile their own cases. Their affirmation and support further reinforce the girl’s resolve. She is not only militating for her own rights, but for the rights of many other children who have suffered similar abuse as well.
