This 12th free webinar of the Refugee Mental Health Resource Network will address the traumatic experiences that place refugees, immigrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) at risk for mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and PTSD. These trauma dynamics also impact the caregivers doing supportive work with these populations. These effects manifest in decreased well-being for all. In contrast, findings regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness and meditation appear to offer promising techniques that can be integrated into the routines of caregivers and those whom they serve. These techniques are being increasingly integrated into treatments for persons experiencing psychological distress.

This webinar addresses the psychological hazards associated with the immigrant/refugee context and how this also impacts clinicians and caregivers. It will specifically present knowledge and promote skills in utilizing mindfulness and meditation techniques for both the caregiver and client. It will also address adaptations that aim to promote the effectiveness of these techniques across cultural groups. The training aims to help professionals employ techniques with their clients and also engage techniques for themselves that promote their own psychological well-being and resilience.

Presented by

Elizabeth Carll, PhD
Rick Williamson, PhD
Naj Alikhan, LMFT

This webinar will be introduced by Dr. Carll, who will also provide an update on the Refugee Mental Health Resource Network.

Learning Objectives:

1) identify the psychological hazards associated with working within trauma contexts;
2) describe how stress and traumatization processes affect brain, body and clinical outcomes;
3) describe how mindfulness and meditation techniques promote psychological resilience;
4) describe the implementation of mindfulness and meditation techniques that promote psychological resilience.

References:

Berceli, D. & Napoli, M. (2006). A Proposal for a Mindfulness-Based Trauma Prevention Program for Social Work Professionals. Complementary Health Practice Review, Vol. 11(3), pp. 153-162.

Goldberg, S.; Rousmaniere, T.; Miller, S.; Whipple, J.; Nielsen, S.; Hoyt, W.; … Tracey, Terence J.G. (2016). Do psychotherapists improve with time and experience?: A longitudinal analysis of outcomes in a clinical setting. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(1), 1-11.

Nolty, A. A. T.; Bosch, D. S.; An, E.; Clements, C. T.; Buckwalter, J. G. (2018). The Headington Institute Resilience Inventory (HIRI): Development and validation for humanitarian aid workers. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, Vol 7(1), pp. 35-57.

Stein, D. J.; Ives-Deliperi, V.; Thomas, K. G. F. PhD. (2008). Psychobiology of Mindfulness. CNS Spectrums, Vol. 13(9), pp. 752-756.

Williamson, R.; Engert, P. A.; (2014). In: Clinician's guide to self-renewal: Essential advice from the field. Wicks, Robert J. (Ed); Maynard, Elizabeth A. (Ed); Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc; pp. 45-59.