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The Connection seeks to engage professionals across the spectrum of mental health: clinical licensed social workers, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners. We invite the participation of licensed mental health providers committed to:

• - Building their skills in providing culturally responsive therapeutic services;
• - Engaging in self-education and cultural inquiry about the perspectives and practices that inform the diverse world-views of immigrant/refugee      clients, including beliefs around wellness, health, and healing; and
• - Working with a qualified interpreter (provided by the Connection) whenever necessary, in order to ensure clients’ full access to services.

Each network member will be asked to commit to working with at least one Connection client per year on a pro bono basis. Session frequency and duration will be determined by the client and member therapist. The Connection's provision of pro bono therapy helps ensure access to vital mental health services for survivors of violence and trauma who are uninsured and ineligible for Federal benefits.

In return, participating Connection providers will have access to a variety of informational resources, as well as ongoing opportunities for learning and professional support. These include:

• - Free training workshops on therapeutic care for forced migrant survivors of conflict-related trauma and torture, with CEUs available;
• - Access to the services of trained interpreters for therapy sessions provided through the Connection; and
• - Consultation/supervision — individual and/or group — provided by our lead clinical staff, offering extensive experience working with asylum-        seekers, refugees, immigrants, and survivors of torture.

Interpreters

The Connection seeks the assistance of trained interpreters who can ensure clear and accurate communication between clients and counselors during therapy sessions, in adherence to professional terms of ethics and confidentiality. Candidates who have completed 40-hour Community Interpreter training and who have prior experience in interpreting during mental health counseling/therapy sessions are strongly preferred.

The program collaborates with interpreters in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Tigrinya, Amharic, and Farsi, among others.

Interpreters will be reimbursed for their services through a contracting agreement administered by Uplift Alliance.

Graduate students / project aides

Inquiries regarding internship placements from clinical social work students are welcome, as are inquiries regarding volunteer/support roles with our program. Graduate students in clinical mental health programs seeking to help strengthen services for culturally diverse forced migrant clients have provided valuable volunteer assistance on program activities and/or acted as aides during the Connection's training workshops. 

For more information about becoming part of the Connection,