Title:
Psychological Help for Refugee Children: How Can a Young Soul Heal After War and Loss?
Meta Description:
Refugee children are often exposed to severe psychological trauma during war and flight. Learn about the main symptoms of trauma (Trauma), how to provide appropriate psychological support in Germany, and which institutions offer these services free of charge or via health insurance.
Many refugee children in Germany have gone through highly traumatic experiences, such as:
Losing a parent or close friends
Witnessing violence, attacks or destruction
Continuous fear and danger during the escape
Living in a completely new environment with a new language and culture
Such experiences can lead to:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD / PTBS)
Anxiety disorders
Aggression and sudden outbursts of anger
Bedwetting at night
Strong social withdrawal or extreme shyness
| Sign / Indicator | Possible meaning / explanation |
|---|---|
| Sudden changes in behaviour | Social withdrawal, extreme silence, aggression |
| Sleep problems | Recurrent nightmares or insomnia |
| Difficulties with concentration | Particularly noticeable at school |
| Excessive fear of sounds or people | Overreactions to certain noises or situations |
| Loss of interest in play or friends | Even after the family has reached safety and stability |
| Repeated physical complaints without clear medical cause | Headaches, stomach aches, nausea |
Child and adolescent psychiatric services (KJP – Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie)
Child and adolescent psychotherapists / psychological psychotherapists
Specialised centres for refugees, for example:
Refugio München
Zentrum ÜBERLEBEN in Berlin
Medinetz and other psychosocial centres in many cities
Schools, especially those with welcome classes (Willkommensklassen), where social workers (Sozialpädagog*innen / Schulsozialarbeit) support families in accessing help
Many of these services are:
completely free of charge, or
covered via statutory health insurance or benefits under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act).
For standard mental health services (KJP, registered psychotherapists), a referral from a GP or paediatrician is often helpful or required.
Some NGOs and specialised refugee centres (e.g. Refugio, church or charity organisations) accept families without a formal referral.
In certain municipalities, support can also be organised via:
the Jugendamt (youth welfare office)
school social work (Schulsozialarbeit)
or refugee counselling services.
Many centres offer culturally sensitive therapy (kultursensible Therapie) with professional interpreters.
Some therapists themselves have Arabic, Turkish or Farsi backgrounds.
Cultural and religious aspects of the family are taken into account in the therapeutic process.
In many cases, the family is actively involved to provide safety, structure and understanding for the child.
| Type of support | Content / description |
|---|---|
| Individual therapy | Cognitive-behavioural therapy, trauma-focused work, stabilisation |
| Group programmes | Group sessions with other refugee children |
| Family support | Counselling parents on how to deal with their child’s symptoms |
| School-based support | Cooperation between therapist, school and school social worker |
| Creative / sports-based therapy | Art therapy, drawing, music, movement and sports activities |
| Term / German word | Translation / meaning |
|---|---|
| Trauma | psychological trauma |
| Flüchtlingskinder | refugee children |
| Psychotherapie | psychotherapy |
| Jugendamt | youth welfare office |
| Refugio | specialised psychological centre for refugees |
| kultursensibel | culturally sensitive |
| PTBS (Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung) | post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
Trauma therapy for refugee children, psychological support for refugees in Germany, treatment of war trauma in children, psychosocial centres for refugees in Berlin and Munich, PTSD in refugee children, help for refugee families
Editorial note:
The editorial team of this website aims to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information may occur. Please treat this article as an initial guide and always consult medical professionals, psychotherapists, counselling centres and relevant authorities for binding information.
