Therapeutic Approaches

Therapeutic Approaches with Refugee & Asylum Seeking Children

This page provides evidence-based research that utilised various therapeutic approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural, Systemic Family, EMDR, Narrative therapies, etc., to treat refugee and asylum seeking children.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to researchers, mental health experts and practitioners whose work has been cited below, enriching our portal and practice of mental health professionals working with refugee and asylum seeking children.

Research papers below have been researched and compiled by Dr Farkhondeh Farsimadan, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist who is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and an HCPC registered psychologist.

Please use links below to access the research papers. For some papers, multiple available links are provided as some links may eventually stop working.

EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing Therapy

Adler-Tapia, R., & Settle, C. (2012). Specialty topics on using EMDR with children. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 6,3.
Banoğlu, K., & Korkmazlar, U. (2022). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group protocol with children in reducing post traumatic stress disorder in refugee children. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 6,1, 100241.
Barron, I. G. (2018). EMDR therapy with children and adolescents. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12,4.
Beer, R. (2018). Efficacy of EMDR therapy for children with PTSD: A review of the literature. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12,4.
EMDR Europe Conference (2016). “A sea of possibilities”, papers presented on the applications of EMDR with refugees and asylum seekers. Hague, Netherland.
Gattinara, P.C., Onofri, A., & Angelini, C. (2016). The EMDR approach used as a tool to provide psychological help to refugees and asylum seekers. In M. Nickerson (ed.) Cultural competence and healing culturally based trauma with EMDR therapy: Innovative strategies and protocols.
Gattinara, P. C. & Pallini, S. (2017). The use of EMDR with refugee and asylum seekers: a review of research studies. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 14,5, 341-344.
Hurn, R., & Barron, I. G. (2018). The EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol in a Psychosocial Program for Refugee Children: A Qualitative Pilot Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12,4.
Jarero, I., Roque-Lopez, S., & Gomez, J. (2013). The Provision of an EMDR-Based multicomponent trauma treatment with child victims of severe interpersonal trauma. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 7,1.
Lempertz, D., et al. (2021). Pre-Post study to assess EMDR-based group therapy for traumatised refugee pre-schoolers. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14,1.
Oren, E., & Solomon, R. (2012). EMDR therapy: an overview of its development and mechanisms of action. European Review of Applied Psychology, 62,4, 197-203.
Reet, O., Cancela de Ezpeleta, S., & Abdulbaghi, A. (2004). Treatment of traumatized refugee children with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in a psychodynamic context. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 58,3, 199-203.
Zaghrout-Hodali, M. (2014). Humanitarian work using EMDR in Palestine and the Arab world. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 8,4, 248-251.

Group Therapy

Akinsulure-Smith, A. (2009). Brief psychoeducational group treatment with re-traumatized refugees and asylum seekers. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 34,2, 137-150.
Banoğlu, K., & Korkmazlar, U. (2022). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group protocol with children in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder in refugee children. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 6,1, 100241.
Ehntholt, K., Smith, P., & Yule, W. (2005). School-based cognitive behavioural therapy group intervention for refugee children who have experienced war-related trauma. Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 10,2, 235-250.
Garoff, F., Kangaslampi, S., & Peltonen, K. (2019). Development and implementation of a group based mental health intervention for unaccompanied minors. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 60,1, 7-15.
Gentlemen-Byers, J. (1996). Children of the Stones: Art Therapy Interventions in the West Bank. Art Therapy, 13,4, 238-243.
Gordon, J.S., Staples, J.K., Blyta, A., Bytyqi,. M., Wilson, A.T. (2008). Treatment of post traumatic stress disorder in post-war Kosovar adolescents using mind-body skills groups: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69,9, 1469-1476.
Gormez, V. et al., (2017). Evaluation of a school-based, teacher-delivered psychological intervention group program for trauma-affected Syrian refugee children in Istanbul, Turkey. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 27,2, 125-131.
Hurn, R., & Barron, I. G. (2018). The EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol in a Psychosocial Program for Refugee Children: A Qualitative Pilot Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12,4.
King, D., & Said, G. (2019). Working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people: cultural considerations and acceptability of a cognitive behavioural group approach. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12, E11.
Lempertz, D., et al. (2021). Pre-Post study to assess EMDR-based group therapy for traumatised refugee pre-schoolers. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14,1.
Sarkadi, A. et al. (2018). Teaching Recovery Techniques: evaluation of a group intervention for unaccompanied refugee minors with symptoms of PTSD in Sweden. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 27,4, 467-479.
Schwartz, S., & Melzak, S. (2005). Using storytelling in psychotherapeutic group work with young refugees. Group Analysis, 38,2.

Integrative Therapy

Arora, P.G. et al. (2021). A Three-Tiered Model for addressing the mental health needs of immigrant-origin youth in schools. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health, 23, 151-162.
Farsimadan F. (2021). Therapy and Therapeutic Considerations with Refugees and Asylum Seekers. In Moussaoui, D., Bhugra, D., Tribe, R., & Ventriglio, A. (eds) Mental Health, Mental Illness and Migration. Mental Health and Illness Worldwide, (427-441). Springer: Singapore.
Isakson, B. L., Legerski, J. P., & Layne, C. M. (2015). Adapting and implementing evidence-based interventions for trauma-exposed refugee youth and families. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 45,4, 245-253.
Katsounari, J. (2014). Integrating psychodynamic treatment and trauma focused intervention in the case of an unaccompanied minor with PTSD. Clinical Case Studies, 13,4, 352-367.
Miller, K.E. & Rasmussen, A. (2010). War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks. Social Science & Medicine, 70, 7-16.

Narrative Therapy

Amias, D., Hughes, G., & Barratt, S. (2014). Multi-layered systemic and narrative interventions with refugees and asylum seekers in a community child and adolescent mental health service. Journal of therapy consultation and training, 25,1, 25-30.
German, M. (2013). Developing our cultural strengths: using the ‘Tree of Life’ strength-based, narrative therapy intervention in schools, to enhance self-esteem, cultural understanding and to challenge racism. Educational and Child Psychology, 30,4, 75-99.
Goodman, G. & Dent, V.F. (2019). When I became a refugee, this became my refuge: a proposal for implementing a two-generation intervention using yoga and narrative to promote mental health in Syrian refugee caregivers and school readiness in their preschool children. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 18,4, 367-375.
Hughes, G. (2014). Finding a voice through ‘The Tree of Life’: A strength-based approach to mental health for refugee children and families in schools. Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 19,1, 139-153.
Hulusi, H. M. & Oland, L. (2010). Using narrative to make sense of transitions: supporting newly arrived children and young people. Journal of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 15,4, 341-351.
Jacobs, S.F. (2018). Collective narrative practice with unaccompanied refugee minors: “The Tree of Life” as a response to hardship. Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 23,2, 279-293.
Kronick, R., Rousseau, C., & Cleveland, J. (2018). Refugee children’s sandplay narratives in immigration detention in Canada. European Child Adolescent Psychiatry, 27,4, 423-437.
Lee, P. L. (2013). Making now precious: Working with survivors of torture and asylum seekers. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 1.
Morgan, A. (2000). What is Narrative Therapy? An easy-to-read introduction. Dulwich Centre Publication.
Moore, T. (2017). Strengths-based narrative storytelling as therapeutic intervention for refugees in Greece. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 73,1, 45-51.
Radjack, R. et al. (2020). Cultural competence of professionals working with unaccompanied minors: addressing empathy by a shared narrative. Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Therapy

Alessi, E. & Kahn, S. (2017). Using psychodynamic interventions to engage in trauma-informed practice. Journal of Social Work Practice, 1-13.
Bragin, M. (2019). Myth, memory, and meaning: understanding and treating adolescents experiencing forced migration. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 18,4, 319-329.
Cohen, A., & Yadlin, Y. (2018). Time and memory in the therapeutic journey with unaccompanied asylum seeking children. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 44,3, 348-367.
Katsounari, J. (2014). Integrating Psychodynamic Treatment and Trauma Focused Intervention in the Case of an Unaccompanied Minor with PTSD. Clinical Case Studies, 13,4, 352-367.
Mees, P. (2017). One and one and one is minus three: therapeutic consultations in child and adolescent mental health services with separated and conflicted parents. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 16,3, 189-197.
Melzak, S, (2017). Building seven bridges with young asylum seekers living in exile in the UK (Part 1). Psychodynamic Practice, 23,3, 235-248.
Melzak, S. (2017). Building seven bridges with young asylum seekers living in exile in the UK (Part 2). Psychodynamic Practice, 23,4, 368-381.
Melzak, S., McLoughlin, C., & Watt, F. (2018). Shifting ground: the child without family in a strange new community. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 44,3, 326-347.
Reet, O., Cancela de Ezpeleta, S., & Abdulbaghi, A. (2004). Treatment of traumatized refugee children with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in a psychodynamic context. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 58,3, 199-203.

Psychosocial Therapy

Cheema-Hasan A. (2021). Psychosocial assessment and early Intervention. In Harkensee C., Olness K., & Esmaili B.E. (eds) Child Refugee and Migrant Health. Springer, Cham.
Dorsey, S., McLaughlin, K.A., Kerns, S. E., Harrison, J.P., Lambert, H.K., Briggs. E.C., Cox, J.R. & Amaya-Jackson, L. (2017). Evidence base update for psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46,3, 303-330.
El-Khodary, B., & Samara, M. (2020). Effectiveness of a school-based intervention on the students’ mental health after exposure to war-related trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10,1031.
Eloranata, S.J., Peltonrn, K., Palosaari, E., Qouta, S.R., & Punamaki, R.L. 2016). The role of attachment and emotion regulation in the psychosocial intervention among war-affected children. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 10,4, 301-314.
Esmaili B.E. (2021). Clinics for migrant and refugee children: psychosocial and organisational considerations. In Harkensee C., Olness K., & Esmaili B.E. (eds) Child Refugee and Migrant Health. Springer, Cham.
Estoura, D. & Roberto, S. (2019). The RAISE Model: psychosocial intervention in residential care for refugee unaccompanied minors. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 36,2, 102-117.
Fazel, M. (2015). A moment of change: facilitating refugee children’s mental health in UK schools. International Journal of Educational Development, 41, 255-261.
Fazel, M. (2018). Psychological and psychosocial interventions for refugee children resettled in high-income countries. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 27,2, 117-123.
Herran M.I. (2021). The return to happiness program. In Harkensee C., Olness K., & Esmaili B.E. (eds) Child Refugee and Migrant Health. Springer, Cham.
Jordans, M.J.D., Pigott, H. & Tol, W.A. (2016). Interventions for children affected by armed conflict: a systematic review of mental health and psychosocial support in low- and middle-income countries. Current Psychiatry Reports, 18, 9.
Jordans, M., Tol, W., Komproe. I., & De Jong., J. (2009). Systematic review of evidence and treatment approaches: psychosocial and mental health care for children in war. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 14,1, 2-14.
Kuriansky, J. (2019). A model psychosocial support training and workshop during a medical mission for Syrian refugee children in Jordan: techniques, lessons learned and recommendations. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 18,4, 352-366.
Marshall, C., Farsimadan, F., & Tribe, R. (2023), (eds). Special edition on Forced Migration: Psychosocial Services and Interventions including the Role of Education. Displaced Voices: A Journal of Migration, Archives and Cultural Heritage. Volume 3, Issue 1, (Spring 2023).
Nocon, A., Eberle-Sejari, R., Unterhitzenberger, J. & Rosner, R. (2017). The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in war-traumatized refugee and internally displaced minors: systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8,sup2.
O’Callaghan, P., McMullen, J., Shannon, C., & Rafety, H. (2015). Comparing a trauma focused and non-trauma focused intervention with war affected Congolese youth: a preliminary randomised trial., Intervention, 13,1, 28-44.
Psychosocial Innovation Network, PIN. (2017). Refugees’ mental health report. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency & PIN.
Psychosocial Innovation Network, PIN. (2017). Challenges and Potentials of Refugee Children: Data Overview. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency & PIN.

Supportive Counselling

Di Tomasso, L. (2010). Approaches to counselling resettled refugee and asylum seeker survivors of organized violence. International Journal of Child Youth and Family Studies, 1, 244-264.
Douglas, A.R. (2010). Working with bereaved asylum seekers and refugees. Bereavement Care, 29,3, 5-9.
El-Khodary, B., & Samara, M. (2020). Effectiveness of a school-based intervention on the students’ mental health after exposure to war-related trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10,1031.
Gardiner, J., & Walker, K. (2010). Compassionate listening: managing psychological trauma in refugees. Australian Family Physician, 39,4, 198-203.
Majumder, P., Vostanis, P., Karim, K., & O’Reilly, M. (2019). Potential barriers in the therapeutic relationship in unaccompanied refugee minors in mental health. Journal of Mental Health, 28,4, 372-378.
Mehraby, N. (1999). Therapy with refugee children. STARTTS, NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.
Schonfeld D.J. (2021). Children’s understanding of and adjustment to death in the aftermath of a crisis. In Harkensee C., Olness K., & Esmaili B.E. (eds) Child Refugee and Migrant Health. Springer, Cham.
Warr, S. (2010) Counselling refugee young people: an exploration of therapeutic approaches. Pastoral Care in Education: An International Journal of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, 28,4, 269-282.

Systemic Family Therapy

Amias, D., Hughes, G., & Barratt, S. (2014). Multi-layered systemic and narrative interventions with refugees and asylum seekers in a community child and adolescent mental health service. Journal of Therapy, Consultation & Training, 25,1, 25-30.
Bala, J., Mooren, T., & Cramer, S. (2014). Cultural Competence in the treatment of political refugees based on system approaches. Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation, 11,1, 32-39.
Betancourt, T. S., Abdi, S., Ito, B. S., Lilienthal, G. M., Agalab, N., & Ellis, H. (2015). We left one war and came to another: resource loss, acculturative stress, and caregiver-child relationships in Somali refugee families. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 21,1, 114-125.
De Haene, L., et al. (2020). Trauma narration in family therapy with refugees: working between silence and story in supporting a meaningful engagement with family trauma history. In De Haene L., & Rousseau, C. (eds.), working with refugee families: trauma and exile in family relationships (pp. 148-171). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Fazel, M. (2019). Focusing a lens on refugee families to address layers of avoidance. The Lancet, Public Health, 4,7, E318-E319.
Gentlemen-Byers, J. (1996). Children of the Stones: Art Therapy Interventions in the West Bank. Art Therapy, 13,4, 238-243.
German, M. (2008). Educational psychologists promoting the emotional wellbeing and resilience of refugee parents. Educational and Child Psychology, 25,2, 91-103.
Isakson, B. L., Legerski, J. P., & Layne, C. M. (2015). Adapting and implementing evidence-based interventions for trauma-exposed refugee youth and families. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 45,4, 245-253.
Jarkman-Björn, G., Boden, C., Sydsjö, G., & Gustafsson, P. A., (2013). Brief Family Therapy for Refugee Children. The Family Journal, 21,3, 272-278.
Jarkman-Björn, G., Gustafsson, P. A., Sydsjö, G., & Berterö, C. (2013). Family therapy sessions with refugee families: a qualitative study. Conflict and Health, 7, 7.
Kaplin, D. et al. (2019). A review of the use of trauma systems therapy to treat refugee children, adolescents, and families. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 18,4, 417-431.
Mehraby, N. (1999). Therapy with refugee children. STARTTS, NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, NCTSN. (2016). Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees. TST-R. NCTSN.

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Therapeutic Approaches

Therapeutic Approaches