1/7/2021 Grand Rounds

Sandra Mattar, PsyD
Assistant Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Clinical Psychologist, Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights
Faculty/Supervisor, Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology, Boston Medical Center

Due to social isolation and social distancing mandates, the pandemic known as COVID-19 has significantly changed the way mental health treatment is delivered. These circumstances have forced the mental health system to reassess the ways care is delivered. The use of telehealth has become a necessity, and the ways to deliver it must be tailored to the populations we treat. Given their trauma histories, refugee and asylum-seeking populations in the US are especially vulnerable during this pandemic. Telehealth considerations when treating this population are particular and unique. The following presentation will address the need to provide a trauma-informed and culturally responsive treatment while treating US based refugee and asylum populations via telehealth. Recommendations are based on clinical delivery at the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights at Boston Medical Center/Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe some of the major changes and challenges brought about by COVID-19 vis-à-vis telehealth care with refugee/asylum seeker populations

2. Explain key trauma treatment considerations using telehealth to treat refugee/asylum seeker populations

3. Identify culturally responsive clinical interventions for working with refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic