REFUGIO Bremen

Counseling and treatment center for refugees and torture victims

People fleeing violence, persecution, displacement, or torture to Germany seek protection. At our treatment center, we offer them free, multilingual psychosocial counseling and psychotherapeutic treatment.

Since 1989, we have been a point of contact in Bremen, and now also in Bremerhaven, for people who have fled war, persecution, and discrimination from crisis regions around the world. The treatment center is run by the association REFUGIO eV in Bremen. It is recognized as a non-profit and charitable organization, as well as a provider of youth services, and is a member of the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband Bremen (Parity Welfare Association Bremen). Refugio is networked nationwide and is a member of the Federal Association of Psychosocial Centers for Refugees and Victims of Torture (BAfF eV).

For us, refugees and their mental health remain our top priority – regardless of their residency status.

In addition to providing psychosocial counseling for our clients, psychotherapeutic treatment is a core task of Refugio. Refugees who come to us have experienced severe trauma and require specialized treatment.

This will be agreed upon individually. Our multimodal, integrative treatment approach also includes psychoeducation, art, music, movement and body therapies, as well as bridging programs in the area of ​​sports. These take place individually or in groups. They are free of charge and tailored to specific target groups. Please note that participation in our programs is only possible after initial enrollment.

• Music therapy
• Art therapy
• Sports and exercise therapy services
• Individual movement or body therapy

The pilot project "Language Mediation Pool" enables the placement and financing of qualified language mediators for the psychotherapeutic and psychiatric care of refugees in Bremen and Bremerhaven.

Registration

For new admissions, diagnostics, therapeutic treatment, and psychosocial counseling at Refugio, registration for an initial consultation with our therapists is necessary.

Registration at our center in Bremen or Bremerhaven for the admission of new clients is currently only possible by telephone and on specific dates (four times a year).

The next available date for telephone registration is April 8, 2026 (from 10 a.m. onwards)

• Bremen 0421 1766770
• Bremerhaven 0471 30309093

When registering, please also ask about our various services. Even after registration or the initial consultation, there may be a waiting period of several weeks. We appreciate your understanding. An initial consultation will be scheduled after registration. This appointment must be actively confirmed one week in advance, for example, by calling us.

Following this, the process includes clearing, diagnosis, or the option to participate in one of our groups or begin individual therapeutic treatment at our center. We may also recommend qualified therapists to whom we can refer you.
Further appointments for each step will then be scheduled in coordination with the client, therapist, and interpreter. Keeping these appointments is an essential part of our collaboration.