Counselors' Reflections on Their Experiences in Preparation to Counsel Adult Refugee Clients

Millions of people around the world have fled their home countries in search of refuge, and there is a great likelihood they experience traumatizing events in their journeys to safety. Refugees are screened for mental health issues in the resettlement process in the United States, and there is a large body of established research regarding refugee mental health needs and strengths. However, far less is known about counseling refugees, and even less so about counselors working with the population. This dissertation study sought counselors' reflections on their experiences, both personal and professional, they feel help prepare them to see refugee clients. Four post-masters counselors participated in the video interviews. Participants were diverse (3 women, 4 ethnicities, counseling refugees from all areas of the world). Minimum criteria was having three adult refugee clients for a minimum of three sessions each. Four main themes emerged as result of analysis: 1) Trauma-informed, 2) Cultural competence and humility, 3) Counselor determination, and 4) Integration of Self. Participants specifically identified trauma-informed practices, cultural competence, and cultural humility as integral parts of necessary training for counselors to see this population. Counselors in this study found they were ill-prepared when they began seeing refugees and had to overcome obstacles to provide needed therapy. Results show a gap between what is known about refugees in academic literature and counselors' knowledge of the population which highlights the need for accessible curriculum and training on refugee issues as well as best practices for serving refugee clients. Implications for counselors, counselor educators, and future research are shared.