Preferred registration deadline: January 23rd

3 CEs

Armed conflict, political persecution, and climate change have driven global displacement to its highest level since World War II, surpassing 123 million people. At the same time, nations historically known for their resettlement efforts, including the United States, face increasing internal polarization and anti-immigrant sentiment, including a U.S. asylum backlog exceeding millions of cases, leaving many individuals and families living in fear and uncertainty. For refugees and immigrants, displacement continues long after arrival. Discrimination, language barriers, financial strain, and limited access to services create ongoing trauma and chronic stress, often overshadowing mental health needs. Many clients experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress, yet prioritize survival over psychological care.

This workshop explores the intersection of global displacement and mental health through a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens. Participants will review the global context driving forced migration, examine the lived experiences and clinical presentations of refugees and immigrants, and learn to apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and a trauma-informed ecological framework to practice.

This is an interactive synchronous distance learning course via Zoom. This workshop meets the licensure requirement for 3 hours of continuing education in cultural competency/humility.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 45.

Return to our list of Workshops

Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences: Social Workers, counselors, psychologists, public health workers, other mental health providers, nurses, school social workers, and individuals working with refugee and immigrant populations in any setting.

Agenda:

• Summary, Description & Definitions – 15 minutes
• Global geopolitical landscape – 15 minutes
• The Stages of Migration – 30 minutes
• Statistics and Overview – 20 minutes
• Presenting Problems – 20 minutes
• Gaps in Services & Barriers – 15 minutes
• Trauma-Informed Interventions & Best Practices – 15 minutes
• Cultural Competence in Mental Health Services with Refugee and Immigrant Populations (examples from real-life clients) – 30 minutes
• Discussion & Questions – 20 minutes

Learner Outcomes

• Describe global and sociopolitical factors contributing to refugee and immigrant displacement.
• Identify common presenting issues and barriers impacting mental health.
• Apply trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices to support refugee and immigrant clients effectively.

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/24/2025 – 9/24/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.