During NCTTP’s 16th Annual Symposium on March 18, 2024, Cecil Walker, LMFT, Charissa Cable, MSW, presented “Learnings from Developing Group Interventions with Underserved Populations: Children affected by Intergenerational Trauma and LGBTQ+ SOTs.”
Abstract:
In Georgia and Minnesota, The Center for Victims of Torture annually supports 270+ asylum seekers and survivors of torture. We describe the development of group-based mental health interventions for two trauma-affected populations: immigrant children and LGBTQ+ SOTs. Learnings from developing these interventions may inform other organizations in extending group support to these underserved populations.
First, GA clinicians observed the impact of parents’ trauma on their children. This intergenerational trauma along with stressors of being an immigrant child are unaddressed through existing adult interventions. CVT partnered with schools serving immigrant families to deliver a 6-week school-based intervention (N=45). The intervention aimed to increase mental health awareness and build leadership skills. Clinical observation and participant polls suggest positive outcomes, including consistent engagement in mental health topics. Potential best practices include partnering with schools in immigrant communities and incorporating hands-on activities.
Second, MN clinicians observed SOTs who identify as LGBTQ+ felt alone in their struggles, when receiving individual psychotherapy. Clinicians piloted a group-based intervention for LGBTQ+ SOTs (N=4) aimed at reducing isolation. Pre-post surveys and clinical observations suggest preliminary positive outcomes including greater understanding of sexual orientation and/or gender identity and increased sense of community.Cecil Walker, LMFT, Psychotherapist, Charissa Cable, MSW, LICSW, Psychotherapist
Authors:
- Cecil Walker
Cecil Walker is a psychotherapist at the Center for Victims of Torture where he treats refugees and asylum seekers struggling with the severe aftereffects of trauma in their countries of origin. He also works in private practice seeing individuals and families. He earned a Master’s of Family Therapy from Mercer School of Medicine after completing a double-bachelor’s degree in psychology and music at Emory University. He previously served as the Multicultural Issues Chair on the board of the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. He is currently on the editorial board for the Journal of Solution Focused Practices and serves as the chair of the journal’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles on therapeutic methodology and language components of the therapeutic process and contributed to the book, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Clients Managing Trauma. - Charissa Cable
Charissa Cable is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Minnesota. She holds a Master of Social Work with an international specialization from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Charissa has been working at the Center for Victims of Torture for over three years, working an equal amount of time with the asylum-seeking population as well as refugees specifically from Burma. Charissa is certified in narrative exposure therapy and enjoys simplifying complex psychotherapy terminology for populations that are accessing mental health care for the first time. She is fluent in English and Thai.