OUR APPROACH

Psychology must make sense within the life around it

Nafas follows a transcultural psychological approach. This begins with a simple principle: psychological distress, resilience and recovery cannot be understood separately from culture and context.

Scientific evidence matters. But so do language, family, faith, gender, social expectations, stigma, displacement, community relationships and material conditions. Effective support must take all of these realities seriously.

We do not bring ready-made answers to Syria. We develop appropriate responses together with people in Syria.

Orange tree beside an old wall and a red doorway.

Begin with local realities

Cultural adaptation is more than translating psychological material into Arabic. Words, examples, metaphors and therapeutic concepts must connect with how people understand themselves, their relationships and their difficulties.

Each project should therefore begin by listening to local professionals and communities and understanding the specific context in which the work will take place.

Members of the diaspora contribute experience, networks and resources without replacing local expertise or controlling the process from a distance.

See the whole person

Psychological distress is not experienced in isolation. It may be shaped by family relationships, faith and spirituality, gender expectations, stigma, displacement, economic insecurity, community ties and collective history.

Our approach recognizes these influences while also respecting people’s strengths, dignity and existing ways of coping. No person or community should be reduced to trauma, diagnosis or victimhood.

Learn and adapt continuously

Cultural responsiveness is not a one-time adjustment made before a project begins. It requires participation, reflection, feedback and evaluation throughout the work.

Nafas therefore seeks to develop activities together with local partners, review how they are experienced and adapt them when needs or circumstances change.

Shape this work with us

We welcome professionals, local organizations, researchers and institutions interested in developing psychologically informed and culturally grounded support together.

Join Nafas