Dr. Sophia Banu’s Initiatives
Through focused mental health programs, global outreach, and trauma-informed training, Dr. Banu leads initiatives that promote healing, resilience, and access to care in underserved communities around the world.
Featured Initiatives
Trauma Recovery & Resilience Program
A field-based initiative delivering psychological first aid, trauma-informed therapy, and long-term resilience-building for refugees and survivors of conflict.
Global Mental Health Education Initiative
Workshops, online training modules, and mentorships designed to train healthcare professionals in culturally responsive, trauma-informed care across borders.
Women & Children in Crisis Care Project
Focused outreach to women and children displaced by war, natural disasters, or gender-based violence — providing psychiatric support and community healing.
Advocacy for Refugee Rights & Mental Health Access
Collaborating with humanitarian organizations to influence policy, amplify refugee voices, and integrate mental health in emergency responses.
Clinic for International Trauma Survivors
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We are a clinic staffed by Baylor psychiatrists in the Harris Health System dedicated to serving international trauma/torture survivors and refugees. We provide psychotherapy, psychoeducation, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management for a variety of psychiatric disorders.
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To set up an appointment during clinic hours email
Ben Taub Hospital - Neuropsychiatric Building
Thursdays 1-4 p.m.
Dr. Sophia Banu - banu@bcm.eduEl Franco Lee Clinic
Mondays 1-4 p.m
Dr. Lorna Wilks - Lorna.Wilks@bcm.edu -
The right to a dignified life is a component of the human experience that is subject to personal, spiritual, cultural, social, and political perspectives. Refugees are denied this right as they have to flee for fear of their lives at short notice, often to unknown destinations and losing the foundation for their lives to an unknown future. Psychiatric management of a refugee largely focuses on trauma due to the nature of a refugees traumatic displacement from their country of origin but post-migration adjustment is a major component of treatment. The Clinic for International Trauma Survivors in the Harris Health System and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas works to explore and address pre-migration, migration and post migration traumas of patients in addition to international and cultural conflicts which contribute to the dehumanization of refugees.
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Building an understanding of issues such as migration, including pre-migration, trans-migration, and post-migration issues.
Building a better understanding of issues of refugee trauma, post traumatic growth, and resilience, with a particular focus on Cultural Humility.
Building an understanding and ability to navigate components and aspects of community health, including working with case workers, social workers and non-profit organizations.
Learning how to conduct psychiatric evaluation using the DSM 5 Cultural Formulation Interview to develop a psychiatric diagnosis. This evaluation takes cultural influences into consideration and incorporates the Culturagram into the initial and follow up interviews to monitor a refugee patient’s progress in a culturally sensitive manner. (PC, ICS). The World Health organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 will also be utilized in monitoring patient progress.
Learning how to build a better understanding of pharmacotherapy for refugee and survivors of torture patients.
Alliance Wellness Center
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The Alliance Wellness Clinicis a free clinic for refugees, asylum-seekers, parolees and underserved populations. In 2021, Shirin and Rev. Hannah contacted Banu to help some the women in the group who were facing mental health issues. She saw a patient for evaluation and began treatment. During one of their telehealth visits, Banu noticed the beautiful scenery when her patient told her she was working on the farm. She noticed that the patient seemed brighter and happy in her surroundings.
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We collaborate with refugee resettlement agencies, healthcare providers, and local organizations to expand access, build culturally responsive care networks, and strengthen support systems for refugees and underserved communities.
Refugee Mental Health & Wellness Conference
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The annual conference brings together refugee leaders, mental health professionals, and advocates to share lived experiences, research, and tools that foster resilience, healing, and community well-being.
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Each year highlights a vital issue shaping refugee lives. The 2023 theme, Cross Cultural Resiliency: Inspiring Generations through Hope & Healing, explored how stories, culture, and community strengthen recovery.
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Join in person or virtually through workshops, panels, and storytelling sessions. Attendees can connect with experts, hear refugee voices, and collaborate on solutions for mental health and wellness.
