The challenges of working with refugee trauma

The complex presentations associated with people from refugee and refugee like situations pose a variety of challenges to service providers in general and clinicians in particular. This group not only has a very high incidence of exposure to severe trauma, but their recovery is also complicated by ongoing danger of exposure to further trauma, environmental stresses associated with the refugee experience and adaptation to life in a new environment, as well as increased vulnerability to secondary traumatization. This group presents with a combination of symptoms at the individual level and issues and problems at the group and community level that vividly illustrates the effects of trauma at the biological, psychological and psycho-social realms

This presentation proposes a conceptualization of the problems affecting refugees that takes into account the complex interaction of trauma and subsequent stressors and protective factors. It also explains a framework for intervention based on a systemic understanding of trauma and its effects that incorporates biological, psychological, and psychosocial interventions. It also explores the challenges involved in addressing the impact of trauma on refugees at individual, family’ group and community levels through the integrated utilization of a variety of interventions.