Companion recovery model to reduce the effects of profound catastrophic trauma for former child soldiers in Ganta, Liberia.

This article describes a companion recovery model designed to reduce the symptoms of PTSD in 130 former child soldiers in Ganta, Liberia. Male and female participants were conscripted by force between 6 and 13 years of age. The article discusses a model applied to a two-weeks group training and one-on-one companion intervention. The model teaches nine conceptual modules (overwhelming events, encapsulation, somatization, recognition, release, resilience, integration, new-self, and rebuilding) and a commencement ceremony to help reintegrate participants into their communities. Two case studies involving male and female participants highlight the application of this model. The study findings reveal that the participants showed significant (p ≤ .001) recovery from profound catastrophic trauma (PCT).