ABSTRACT
Connecting Hearts and Minds is a community-based, faith-sensitive group psychosocial support programme, which was implemented initially in Yemen. It is a nine-session intervention which includes elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. Although it is based on established therapeutic principles, this chapter describes the ways in which the programme was developed to meet the needs of the context in Yemen. The author presents the context in which the intervention was designed, the development process and rationale for the modality, plus the underpinning values of the approach. The programme was designed to recognise and build on the strengths of those who participated, including the importance of faith for many as a coping strategy. The programme was developed in collaboration with the affected communities, and community members were trained to facilitate the sessions themselves. The author describes this process in detail, and goes on to explore the impact of the programme and the lessons learned along the way.
