Faculty Bibliography

Civil and social unrest, human rights abuses, and various acts of violence around the world continue to force many to flee their homelands in search of safety. Such chaos often results in the disintegration of social order, generating widespread gender-based violence. During such struggles, women and girls suffer disproportionately and often are targeted for brutal acts of sexual violence. For forced migrants, their traumatic experiences are further compounded by the complex and often lengthy process of seeking asylum in a host country. Drawing on a clinical case study, this article presents the case of a female asylum seeker in the United States who is a victim of sexual violence. Using Brief Recovery Program for Trauma Survivors to facilitate healing and prevent chronic posttraumatic reactions, this case highlights considerations for promoting emotional well-being within this population. In addition, this case emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary treatment team and comprehensive services to address the multifaceted needs of traumatized forced migrants.

Immigrant parents' perceptions of child protective services may have important implications for their engagement in public institutions that are central to their children's well being. The current study examined West African immigrants' perceptions of child welfare authorities and the role of disciplining and monitoring in these communities' meaning making. A multiethnic group of 59 West African immigrants (32 parents and 27 adolescent children) living in the United States were interviewed in 18 focus groups and eight individual interviews between December 2009 and July 2010. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach; strategies for rigor included triangulation (multiple interview formats, varied composition of groups, multiple coders for each transcript), verification (follow-up interviewing, feedback to community-based organizations), and auditability. Primary among parents' concerns were "911" (used to refer to the police and child protective authorities), the loss of collective child monitoring networks, and threats to their children posed by "American" values and neighborhood violence. Children were concerned with parents' close monitoring that resulted in boredom and a sense that parents did not recognize them for adhering to their families' values. Feedback from CBOs suggested that parents got their information about child protective policies from children but that although misinformed they were accurate in their negative assessment of contact. Not unlike in other urban populations, West African immigrants' disciplinary tactics are instrumental, oriented toward protecting their children from the multiple dangers perceived in their surroundings, but may also put them at risk for contact with child protective services. Results suggest that "911" results from a "loss spiral" (Hobfoll, 1989) that begins as West Africans resettle without collective child monitoring networks, leading to increased concern for their children's safety, and interacting with a school-home disciplinary mismatch that may increase the likelihood of contact with child protection.

Providers who care for torture survivors may be at risk for secondary traumatic stress, yet there has been little documentation of the effects of repeated exposure to traumatic issues on their emotional health or exploration of the support systems and resources available to address their emotional needs. This study assessed the secondary stress experiences of service providers (N = 43) within the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs in the United States and examined the supports offered by their organizations. The study found a significant correlation between rates of anxiety and depression among providers, r(34) = .49, p = .003. Although these participants reported that their work with survivors of torture was stressful, 91% indicated that their organizations offered a variety of stress-reduction activities. Overall, participants reported that their own personal activities were the most-effective stress reducers. The results are discussed in light of challenges that professionals who work with this population face and the effectiveness of support systems available to support their work.

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the development of a unique, grassroots, community-based organization, Nah We Yone (NWY), designed specifically to provide support to African refugees and asylum seekers, with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses, who have fled to the New York City area. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the background to, the challenges faced and the services available at NWY. Findings Described in this paper are the rationale for developing this type of organization; specific programs designed to promote well-being; and various challenges faced and lessons learned, while offering an alternate type of therapeutic intervention. Practical implications NWY demonstrates the importance of drawing on cultural and community strengths and resilience when using limited resources to serve traumatized and displaced peoples who are struggling to adjust to a new cultural setting. Originality/value This paper seeks to contribute to the literature on culturally informed therapeutic interventions developed by community-based organizations to enhance well being in forced migrants.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the important and unique challenges that arise when using interpreters while conducting psychotherapy with forced migrants who have experienced a range of human rights abuse. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a practice-based evidence methodology that offers guidance to both clinicians and researchers. Findings – Working with interpreters in the clinical setting is often a challenging and complex process for which mental health professionals are rarely prepared. This paper outlines key strategies to address these challenges and limitations. Research limitations/implications – Empirically-based research is lacking and is certainly warranted. Practical implications – It is the responsibility of programs, training sites, supervisors, and institutions to help teach how to work with interpreters. Originality/value – This paper addresses how to navigate the key issues that arise through the use of interpreters in a mental health setting with forced migrants, including: initiating a therapeutic relationship with an interpreter; common issues that arise around language; setting the therapeutic frame; and addressing boundaries; acknowledging the role of culture, transference, counter transference, and vicarious trauma; screening to assess competence; training to orient interpreters to clinical work with forced migrants; in vivo feedback; assessments; and an appropriate place to process their experience.

This article discusses the creative use of the group treatment modality to provide psychosocial support to African women refugees and asylum seekers with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who have fled to the United States. In particular, this article describes the African Women's Wellness Group developed by Nah We Yone, Inc., a small grassroots organization in the New York City area. This women's group draws on the tenets of traditional Western group psychotherapy while using African cultural awareness to provide healing. The rationale for this type of treatment, group design, specific techniques used to provide healing, along with various group-related themes and challenges are described. This type of treatment provides an example of the usefulness of group therapy technique with traumatized displaced women struggling to survive in a new cultural setting.

This article describes the implementation of a psychoeducational group treatment with students with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who were further traumatized by the 9/11 attacks in New York City. The rationale for group intervention and specific techniques utilized to promote emotional and behavioral stabilization and relief, including trauma education and stress management, are discussed. In addition, group-related issues, themes, and challenges are considered. This psychoeducational treatment modality provides an example of the usefulness of group intervention with a re-traumatized population.