Managing Ethical Challenges in Mental Health Work With Refugees

A growing number of psychologists respond to the global refugee crisis by providing mental health (MH) support to resettled refugees. Psychologists face unique professional and personal challenges and ethical dilemmas in this work. The diverse experiences and languages of refugees, cultural barriers, anti-immigrant sentiments, and the power differential underscore the importance of specialized professional competencies and commitment to professional and humanitarian values in MH providers who work with refugees. Participants practice decision making and negotiating common ethical dilemmas. This intermediate workshop offers strategies for managing professional and personal challenges and transference by increasing self-awareness.

Original webcast date: October 29, 2020

This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers for 2.5 continuing education contact hours.

• List three examples of personal and professional challenges in MH work with refugees and match them with ways to increase self-awareness.
• Recognize, examine, and negotiate common ethical dilemmas in the interdisciplinary practice.
• Identify two examples of ethically questionable practices.

Elena Cherepanov, PhD