Reclaiming Identity, Restoring Dignity:
Empowering Afghan Women Through Trauma-Informed Care
The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), in partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Office of Refugee Health (ORH), is proud to highlight the work of PARS Equality Center, a trusted partner that provides culturally responsive mental health care and holistic support to Afghan refugees rebuilding their lives in California.
For many Afghan women resettling in the U.S., the journey to healing is layered with trauma—from war and displacement to loss of status, sexual violence, and fractured families. Cultural stigma, isolation, and unfamiliar systems only deepen these wounds. PARS Equality Center is working to change that by meeting Afghan women where they are, with care rooted in dignity, cultural sensitivity, and hope.
The following client journeys illustrate how PARS’ trauma-informed care helps Afghan women rise from despair to self-determination. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
Client 1Healing as a Family: From Collapse to Connection
An Afghan physician arrived in the U.S. after experiencing infidelity, severe depression, and signs of schizophrenia, all compounded by the uncertainty of asylum and housing insecurity. Her six-year-old daughter had become emotionally shut down and aggressive.
Through 14 therapy sessions grounded in trauma-informed and culturally attuned approaches, the mother began stabilizing emotionally. PARS supported her in revalidating her medical credentials, connecting her with Dari-speaking translators, and finding low-cost housing and educational resources. As she healed, her daughter also began therapy and began to thrive both emotionally and academically. Today, the mother is actively working to reestablish her medical career in the U.S., while her daughter continues to flourish. Their transformation is a profound example of how accessible, compassionate mental health care can heal not just individuals but families.
Client 2Reclaiming Motherhood After Sexual Violence
Following a sexual assault, an Afghan mother of three struggled severely with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) marked by persistent anxiety, flashbacks, and depression. These symptoms deeply affected her ability to care for her children and engage in everyday life.
PARS collaborated closely with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) to create a comprehensive, trauma-informed care plan for her. PARS connected her with trauma-informed therapy, financial aid through CalVCB, and safe housing. Over time, she rebuilt her emotional stability and reclaimed her role as a nurturing, confident parent. Now employed and grounded, she is a powerful example of how wraparound, culturally sensitive care can transform not only individuals, but entire families.
Client 3From the Courtroom to Community Support
A former judge fled life-threatening danger in Afghanistan and arrived in the U.S. feeling invisible and stripped of identity. In Afghanistan, holding the title of judge was not only a professional achievement but also a powerful symbol of her strength, intellect, and contribution to justice in her country. She had spent years in Afghanistan overcoming societal barriers, risking her safety, and proving her worth in a male-dominated system. But in the U.S., despite all that she had accomplished, she suddenly found herself feeling unseen, irrelevant, and disconnected from the purpose that once defined her.
Through compassionate therapy sessions, she had space to process her trauma and identity loss and began rebuilding her self-worth and reimagining her future. PARS also introduced her to a network of Afghan legal professionals and women leaders who had navigated similar journeys. These opportunities helped her reframe her journey, not as the end of her story, but as the beginning of a new chapter rooted in resilience and possibility. Today, she is actively pursuing further education and working as a part of a community outreach team, empowering other Afghan women and reclaiming her role as a leader.
The PARS Approach: Cultural Sensitivity, Wraparound Support, and Long-Term Trust
PARS Equality Center tailors its services to reflect the lived experiences of Afghan refugees. Whether providing therapy in Dari, helping clients navigate professional licensing, or coordinating with legal and housing partners, the PARS team builds trust through consistency, cultural fluency, and respect for human dignity.
By integrating mental health with practical support systems, PARS is offering more than just care—they are creating pathways for Afghan women to reclaim their power, rebuild their futures, and reimagine what healing looks like
Centering Culture to Build Connection
At CIRH, we are proud to partner with the International Rescue Committee in advancing culturally responsive mental health services that meet clients where they are, with empathy, respect, and understanding.
Through the Refugee Mental Health Initiative (RMHI), our partners provide holistic, linguistically appropriate care that supports the mental health and well-being of refugee communities.
