For patients

DIGNITY is a specialized clinic helping refugees and families affected by war, torture, or flight. We offer individual and group treatment for children, adults, and families.

Our approach addresses physical, psychological, and social challenges. You’ll be supported by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, social workers, and physiotherapists, working together to provide the best possible care for you and your family.

Treatment is tailored to your personal needs and based on your traumatic experiences. Together, we’ll set goals and work toward them. As part of your care, we offer trauma education and practical tools to help you manage symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and other trauma-related reactions.

Do you need treatment?

Experiences of war, torture, or fleeing your home can affect both your body and your mind. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, DIGNITY may be able to help:

Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Unexplained physical pain
Racing thoughts or difficulty finding calm
Deep fatigue in body and mind
Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression
Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships
Sensitivity to sound, light, or touch
Feeling empty or like life has no meaning
Flashbacks to traumatic events from your past

If any of these sounds familiar, you’re welcome to contact us to learn more about how we can support you.

You can also find exercises and tools here to help you manage difficult emotions and symptoms independently.

Self-Help – You are not alone

With support from TrygFonden, we have created this self-help section where you’ll find exercises and tools designed to help you calm your mind and activate your body. The materials are available in four languages: Danish, English, Farsi, and Arabic.

Find the right exercises for you

How does the treatment work?

Treatment can include individual or group sessions for both children and adults. We also offer family-based therapy that involves the entire household.
Our approach focuses on both the body and the mind; we help you deal with both the physical and psychological effects of trauma.

Language and Interpretation Services

If you need interpretation, we will arrange for a professional interpreter so you can speak in your own language during sessions.

How to get referred for free treatment

If you recognize the symptoms and want help, speak with your general practitioner or your municipal caseworker. They can refer you by filling out our referral form.
Once we receive the referral, you’ll be invited to a first meeting—with an interpreter if needed, free of charge.

Helpful advice for those starting treatment

If you or a family member are about to begin treatment at DIGNITY, you can find useful advice for both patients and their relatives here:

TRUST

Remember, our therapists are professionals. They respect your privacy and understand your challenges.

REST

It’s a good idea to keep your schedule light after your sessions at DIGNITY. Give yourself time to relax and recover.

REMEMBER

Remind yourself that you are not alone, and many others need help with physical and emotional pain. It’s normal to feel nervous.

BREATHING

If you feel nervous on your way to the clinic, try to focus on your breathing. Take slow, calm breaths and repeat until you feel more relaxed.

TIME

Make sure to leave early. If it helps you feel more comfortable, ask a close friend or family member to come with you. They can wait in the waiting room.

Helpful advice for family and friends

Understanding: Be patient and understanding mood swings and changes—both in your loved one receiving treatment and in yourself. Healing from trauma is hard work, and sometimes your loved one may seem worse before they get better. This is normal, and it will improve.

Focus: Avoid asking too much about the details of the treatment. Trust that your loved one will share when they feel ready. Together, you may have more energy to focus on the positive and enjoy good moments instead of the painful past.

Trust: During treatment, the patient’s condition may fluctuate. Trust that this is a natural part of the healing process. Trauma therapy often means facing the hardest memories to work through them and move forward.

Flashbacks: If your loved one has a flashback, you can help by engaging in their senses. Offer gum to chew, something to smell, or talk about things here and now.

Ask: It’s okay to ask your loved one’s therapist how you can best support both your loved one and yourself.

Remember, DIGNITY also offers support services for family and friends.

For families with children

Focus on Strengths: Remember, the treatment focuses on building and supporting the strengths you have as a family. There will be both good and challenging moments.

Preparation: Prepare your children by explaining that the family will be receiving treatment together. Tell them the goal is to help the family better handle difficult and sometimes unsafe feelings together.

Time: Keep in mind that treatment lasts for a limited period. Some appointments may be during school or work hours. But after the treatment ends, school, leisure activities, and family life may become easier for everyone.

A Safe Space: Think of the treatment as a place where you can leave the difficult feelings, so you don’t have to bring them home.

Strategies: The therapists will ask many questions to both adults and children, mostly together as a family. This helps them understand the main challenges and find the best ways to handle them. Together, you will develop new and better strategies to manage the past, present, and future.