About us

The Institute of Therapy and Research (ITEI) is a Bolivian NGO based in La Paz. Since its inauguration in 2001, ITEI has campaigned for victims of repression, torture, exile and other forms of state violence. In particular, we have supported the most vulnerable groups: people with low social status, indigenous peoples and members of political groups fighting for their rights.

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ITEI was created by the initiative of Emma Bolshia Bravo Cladera and Andrés Gautier. Both have worked tirelessly for an extended time to promote and defend human rights and to take care of victims of torture and ill-treatment. Emma and Andrés are complemented and supported by ITEI's multidisciplinary staff and volunteers.

Main team

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MSc. Emma Bolshia Bravo Cladera

Director - Head of Training and Research

 

Master in Psychology and Bachelor in Clinical Curative Pedagogy from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). Certificate for Trainer of Specialised Educators from "la Escuela de Altos Estudios Sociales (HES)", Switzerland. Diploma in: Community Psychosocial Interventions in The Case of Political Violence and Catastrophes from the Complutense University of Madrid and "el Grupo de Acción Comunitaria (GAC) Centro de Recursos en Salud Mental y DDHH, Madrid". Certificate in Care for Caregivers: Psychosocial Support for teams Working in Situations of Political Violence and Catastrophes from "el Grupo de Acción Comunitaria (GAC) Centro de Recursos en Salud Mental y DDHH, Madrid". 18 years of experience working with people affected by torture and other human rights violations.

emma.bolshia@itei.org.bo

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Dr. Andrés Gautier

Head of the Socio-Therapeutic Area

 

Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Zurich (Switzerland), psychoanalyst. Member of the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA). Contact person with the Instituto Latinoamericano de Psicoanálisis (ILaP). Extensive psychoanalytic experience in private consulting, prisons, indigenous communities and crises situations. Loads of experience in applying the Istanbul Protocol for cases of torture and ill-treatment, as well as reporting for the judicial bodies in Bolivia and internationally.

andres@itei.org.bo

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MSc. Marcelo Flores Torrico

Medical Doctor of ITEI

 

Master in Forensic Medicine. Postgraduate in Documentation and Investigation of Torture from UAM Xochimilco, México; Human Rights, Pedagogy of Memory and Cultural Policies at the Henry Dunant Foundation, Santiago de Chile; Community Psychosocial Interventions in the Case of Political Violence and Catastrophes at the Complutense University of Madrid; Higher Education at UMSA. More than 14 years of experience working with people affected by torture and state violence and 11 years of experience in applying the Istanbul Protocol.

marcelo@itei.org.bo

Carla Achá Irigoyen

Training and Administration

 

Studied Psychology at the Higher University of San Andrés (UMSA). Diploma in: Community Psychosocial Interventions in the Case of Political Violence and Catastrophes from the Complutense University of Madrid. (Online). Has worked 14 years at ITEI and has experience in conducting workshops and seminars as an organiser and speaker.

carla@itei.org.bo

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Pablo García

Psychologist in the Socio-Therapeutic, Training and Research areas of ITEI

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Bachelor in Psychology from the Catholic University of Bolivia, La Paz (Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo").

pablo@itei.org.bo

Hans Alfredo Blanco Ramos

Head of Accounting

 

Accountant, administrative support and other formalities.  Bachelor in Public Accounting and Diploma in Tax Auditing from the "Pública de la Universidad Salesiana de Bolivia", La Paz.
 

hans@itei.org.bo

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Valeria Trino Rodriguez

Head of Communications

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Bachelor in Communication Sciences from the Catholic University of Bolivia, La Paz (Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo”). She has experience in workshops related to human rights and vulnerable populations.

valeria@itei.org.bo