Immigration

1
Immigration

• Documented and undocumented immigrants and
  refugees constitute 12 to 15 of the U.S.
  population.
• Immigration is going to continue, and this
  population will continue to grow (due to
  globalization, wars)
• Little systematic attention has been given to
  CLINICAL PRACTICE, RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND
  ADVOCACY with this population

2
Working Group Members

• Two groups
• Clinical work and advocacy
• Research and training
• 4 co-leaders
• Approximately 40 working group members

3
Major Issues Discussed

• Lack of systematic research with immigrants and
  refugees
• Lack of training in research process,
  methodology, paradigms
• Lack of understanding of time needed to conduct
  research with refugees and immigrants (e.g.,
  community access, trust)
• Lack of multidisciplinary collaborations
• Lack of training in counseling psychology
  programs (e.g., supervisors, students,
  psychologists in community) with regard to
  competency, ethics, working with interpreters,
  understanding boundaries, GLBT)

4
Major Issues Discussed

• Lack of training in bilingual and international
• Need for greater understanding of range of
  outreach practices to engage communities
• Need for collaboration among mental health, law,
  medical and other related professionals
• Understanding of complexities of immigrant and
  refugee populations (different pathways, trauma,
  legal status, special needs) with respect to
  delivery of psychological services (assessment
  practices)
• Training of interpreters who understand process
  psychological intervention and training
  psychologists to work with interpreters
• Exploring technology to increase access to
  services (e.g., telehealth)

5
Goals/Outcomes for Future

• TCP Major contributions
• Books and textbooks (K-12, undergraduate,
  graduate)
• Development of practice guidelines in working
  with immigrants and refugees
• Creating Network for Immigration Research,
  Training and Practice (resources website)
• Policy briefs to APA, funding agencies,
  legislature, UN (e.g., flexibility of code of
  ethics, insurance reimbursement)
• Collaboration with divisions in APA, other
  professional organizations, and other national
  associations dealing with immigrants and refugees
• Development of a logo to indicate
  immigrant/refugee friendly service provider

6
Next Steps Opportunities for Involvement

• Formation of network of resources (website)
• Formation of task groups to work on major
  contribution, book proposals, policy briefs,
  practice guidelines, etc.
• Solicit APA support for interdivisional
  collaborations, lobbying and task force creation
• Seek international collaborations,
  multidisciplinary collaborations

7
Contact Information for Getting Involved

• Dr. Oksana Yakushko, University of Nebraska
  Lincoln, oyakushko2_at_unl.edu
• Dr. Maria Prendes-Lintel,