Teaching resources and workshops on working with refugee and asylum-seeking adults
This page provides a helpful selection of teaching resources including workshop slides on supporting refugee and asylum-seeking adults. Led by experienced health and social care professionals, these sessions aim to equip practitioners with evidence-based psychosocial interventions and practical strategies tailored for this population.
Health and social care practitioners are encouraged to utilise these resources to enrich their knowledge and skills in effectively supporting culturally diverse refugee and asylum-seeking adults.
We would like to convey our appreciation to all the experts whose contributions are cited below, enhancing our resources for professionals working in this field.
Follow the links below to access the resources.
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Adapting Therapies for Faith Communities - several presentations from the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds
The Afghan community response project: Recovery from trauma in the context of community strengthening. Thoms, C. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
A mind-body approach to address cultural nuances of sexual assault and refugee trauma: The Dance of Asha (Hope). Fernandes, P. & O’Sullivan, V. (2024). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Biopsychosocial approach to treating sleep difficulties in refugees. Askovic, M (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Breaking the silence: Voice of Devi-working with Tamil asylum seeker with domestic violence experience. Mayuran, S. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Bridging the gap in global youth mental health. Dawson, K. (2017). University of New South Wales & the World Health Organisation (WHO). Research presented at NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Annual Research Symposium.
Changing diagnostic landscapes in trauma and PTSD: Recognition and re-association in the recalibration of the traumatised mind. Korner, A. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Clinical treatment of functional seizures: Case study, a woman with torture and refugee trauma experience. Ninnis, J. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Community based clinical interventions with Sri Lankan Tamil community. Mayuran, S. (2018). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.
Complex PTSD with psychotic features: Case presentation. Hall, J. (2020). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Contemporary issues in treating refugee survivors of trauma. Silove, D. (2016). Sydney South West Local Health District and School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales. Research presented at NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Annual Research Symposium.
Collective healing: Healing refugee families with therapy. Shamal, H. (2025). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
COVID-19 and the Mental health of people from refugee background. Rees, S. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Research Symposium.
Crisis in Afghanistan: STARTTS’ response to support traumatised Afghans. Mehraby, N. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
The Cultural and psychological implications of sexual assault and rape for refugee women: Working with disclosure, shame, and guilt. Satyen, L. (2024). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Educational needs and experiences of refugee children in Scotland. McBride, M. (2018). What Works Scotland, WWScot.
Effects of perinatal trauma and treatment: Sarah’s story. Hassan, N. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
The enduring impacts of early, prolonged, and major trauma. Segall, Z. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Fight or Flight: Addressing PTSD and panic symptoms in a refugee trauma survivor. Bogicevic, T. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Human Rights and trauma: The impact of the understanding of rights on successful settlement and healing. Bartolomei, L., and Pittaway, E. (2016). University of New South Wales & Centre for Refugee Research. Research presented at NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma, Annual Research Symposium.
Intolerable pain: Trauma, invalidating environments, and pervasive emotion dysregulation. Dorning, D. (2019). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
It’s not just about the pain! Working with chronic pain as explored through the lens of one Iraqi woman. Churchward, H. (2020). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Latest on neuroscience and trauma. Liddle, B. (2016). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.
The link between physical and mental health of refugees. Harris, M. (2019). Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales. Research presented at NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Annual Research Symposium.
Long walk to health: Working with the survivors of refugee trauma with a history of early childhood abuse. Askovic, M. (2020). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Making psychosocial interventions accessible to 100,000s of refugees. Bryant, R. (2018). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.
The mental health of asylum seekers: Trauma, post-migration stress, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Steel, Z. (2017). School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, St John of God Health Care, Richmond Hospital, Sydney. Research presented at NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Annual Research Symposium.
Monitoring community attitudes during refugee resettlement in Armidale, NSW. Watt, S. et al. (2020). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Research Symposium.
Moorad’s journey of transgenerational trauma. Karapetian, A. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Moral Injury: Current research & clinical Implications. Hoffman, J. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Moral Injury following refugee torture and trauma: Case presentation. Hall, J. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Older refugees: The ongoing struggle for peace, safety, and dignity: Maria’s voice and experiences as an ageing refugee in NSW. Landman, A. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Perinatal psychology and trauma: The importance of keeping birth normal. Fenwick, J. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Refugees slEep and trAuma Care researcH (REACH). Lies, J. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Refugee trauma and suicidality: The case of Nadia. Reddel, T. (2018). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.
Resettlement of Syrian refugees in West Dunbartonshire: lessons for partnership and community engagement. Bynner, C. (2018). What Works Scotland, WWScot.
Restoring hope, rebuilding lives: Lessons from the field. Northwood, A., & Keefe, A.
Sport and physical activity in the treatment of refugee trauma survivors of torture and trauma. Rosenbaum, S. (2020). School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney Vice President, Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Director, Exercise Sports Science Australia. NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Research Symposium.
Story of one Bosnian in Australia. Caus, E. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Supporting women from refugee background who are impacted by intimate partner violence. Rees, S. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Trauma, psychosis, and dissociation: Understanding the experiences of survivors of severe trauma presenting for care. Steel, Z. (2020). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Trauma, PTSD, and substance use. Mills, K. (2021). The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. University of Sydney, Australia.
Trauma & the Refugee & Immigrant Experience. Abdi, S. (2016). Boston Children Hospital Refugee Trauma & Resilience Centre.
Trauma-related genetic, epigenetic, and molecular factors contributing to mental illness: what do we know? Matosin, N. (2019). University of Wollongong. Research presented at NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Annual Research Symposium.
Treating hopelessness and helplessness in people seeking asylum facing deportation. Procter, N. & Kenny, M.A. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Treatment of PTSD & addiction in traumatised adults. Askovic, M. (2021). Neurofeedback Program Coordinator & ANFI Director. NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTT.
Understanding the experiences of and providing resources to support people with disability and family members from Syrian and Iraqi refugee backgrounds. Dew, A. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Utilizing remote technology in managing self-harm and suicidality with refugee trauma clients. Rosenfield, M, (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
“Walk on walk strong”: Walking together towards freedom. Brown, C., & Jones, H.G. (2022). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Walk on walk strong stories. Walk on walk strong group. STARTTS LGBTQIA+ Project. (2023). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Working clinically via Tele-Health with an asylum seeker experiencing self-harm and suicidality. Theodor, K. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS, Clinical Master Class.
Working with hopelessness and helplessness with an asylum seeker in the final stage of deportation. Labron Johnson, A. (2021). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
Working with refugee families affected by trauma using family therapy principle. Shaw, E. (2025). NSW, Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS.
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An overview of issues in working with vulnerable immigrant and refugee populations and a case study of the Garcia family. Carll, E., Chakaryan, H., & Stiles, D. (2021). Refugee Mental Health Resource Network, RMHRN.
Assessment and treatment of torture survivors: Resilience-centred healing. Akinsulure-Smith, A.M., Porterfield, K., & Smith, H.E. (2017). APA Division 56 - Trauma Psychology.
"My mind is not like before": Survivors of torture and trauma amongst refugees: identification and treatment. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, IRCT (2018).
Narrative exposure therapy: Concept & efficacy. Neuner, F. (2016). A Webinar presentation. APA Division 56-Trauma Psychology, published on November 5, 2016.
Narrative therapy: Tree of Life Project. Crane, D. (2024).
Working in conflict zones/disasters & legislative advocacy for refugee children & families: Atypical training for graduate students. Carll, E., Khoury, B., & Stiles, D. (2021). Refugee Mental Health Resource Network, RMHRN, an APA interdivisional Webinar. APA Division 56 - Trauma Psychology.
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Results and resources for Addressing depression in Muslim communities - several resources from the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds.
British Red Cross refugees and migration teaching resources. British Red Cross.
City of Sanctuary UK, resource packs. These are a one-stop-shop for organisations wanting to best support people seeking sanctuary within their specific sector.
Experiences of refugee resettlement in Scotland. What Works Scotland, WWScot. (2018).
Schools of Sanctuary resources: Please find below links to a selection of resources by City of Sanctuary UK to support schools in their sanctuary efforts.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Teaching About Refugees - This page contains a collection of UNHCR teaching materials on refugees, asylum, and migration for primary and secondary education, as well as some guidance for teachers working with refugee children in the classroom.
Working with immigrant-origin clients. An update for mental health professionals. Based on the Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration. Crossroads: The psychology of immigration in the new century. APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration, (2013).
Working with young unaccompanied asylum seekers & refugees. (2021, updated 2023). Education Scotland.