Brief individual psychological therapies for trauma-related distress in adult refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review

Background Globally, 123.2 million people are forcibly displaced, having often faced violence, persecution, or instability. These populations show noticeably higher rates of PTSD and other mental health issues than host communities. Although clinical guidelines recommend trauma-focused therapies as first-line treatments for PTSD, their use with exiled populations remains contested. Objective This systematic review aims to identify the brief individual psychological interventions currently implemented for psychotrauma in exiled populations, including refugees and asylum seekers. Method Adhering to PRISMA guidelines and the PICO framework, we screened RCTs involving adult refugees, asylum seekers, or forcibly displaced people with psychotrauma. Eligible interventions were brief (4-12 sessions), individually delivered, trauma-focused, or transdiagnostic therapies, selected for their adaptability to displaced populations and alignment with WHO recommendations. The primary outcome of interest was PTSD. Fifteen articles met these criteria. Results RCTs identified a range of brief interventions implemented to reduce PTSD symptoms among refugee and asylum-seeking populations. Although efficacy varied, evidence suggested particularly promising results for EMDR, NET, VBC, and PM+. Support for CBT-based approaches was more limited. Cultural adaptation and community engagement emerged as key factors for enhancing acceptability, sustaining participation, and reducing attrition. Conclusion These findings indicate that brief psychological interventions, including trauma-focused therapies, can be feasibly implemented among exiled populations and are associated with meaningful reductions in post-traumatic stress symptoms. They also highlight the need for culturally adapted approaches and further high-quality research to strengthen the evidence base for psychotrauma care in forcibly displaced adults.