Counseling Newcomers and Refugees: Children and Adolescents

Human migration may occur either internationally or domestically and is often categorized as voluntary or involuntary. Pre-migration stressors often include exposure to trauma or trauma-related incidents that occurred throughout the migration process. Post-migration stressors include difficulties that arise in the cross-cultural transition after migration. This practice brief focuses mainly on the distinct experiences faced by refugees in general, and refugee children and adolescents in particular. It also covers assessment and intervention strategies for migrants (newcomers) and refugee clients, while keeping in mind the complex needs and experiences migrants on the continuum face.