Mental Health Services

War, violence, persecution, poverty, and disaster drive people from their homes every day—and the trauma does not disappear as soon as they step on American soil.

Unfortunately, the mental health needs of immigrant and refugee adults and children are often unmet. Challenges such as cost, accessibility, language barriers, bias, and a shortage of providers mean that New Americans in need of mental healthcare are often underserved.

Mental healthcare for refugees and immigrants is a critical aspect of the transition to a new life.

Global Refuge believes that mental healthcare is a critical part of achieving stability and success in the United States. Through our mental health services programs, we offer essential care for immigrant and refugee individuals and children—resulting in holistic improvements in family stabilization, access to immigration legal protections, academic achievement, employment/economic stability, improved physical health, as well as reductions in family violence, substance use disorders, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Appropriate mental healthcare for refugees and immigrants supports positive engagement in their new communities.

Our Mental Health Services

Our services through the Support for Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR) Program are available for Office of Refugee Resettlement Eligible populations affected by trauma in their searches for stability, including the following populations:

• Refugees
• Asylees
• Cuban and Haitian Entrants
• Certain Lawful Permanent Residents
• Amerasians
• Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants
• Trafficking Victims
• Certain Afghan Humanitarian Parolees
• Certain Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees

Comprehensive Intake Assessments

Prior to offering any mental health services to eligible clients, we conduct a comprehensive and all-inclusive intake assessment for our clients’ mental health needs to ensure that the support they receive is informed by their experiences, best suited to their needs, and recognizes the delicate nature of uplifting trauma-affected refugees and immigrants.

Individual Therapy for Adults and Children

Our multilingual licensed clinicians provide direct mental health services in Baltimore, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Services are trauma-informed, culturally competent, and evidence-based to treat a wide range of mental health difficulties, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.

Our clinicians understand the refugee and immigrant experience and are committed to meeting our clients where they are while working toward improved outcomes and a brighter future.

Group Therapy

Global Refuge offers support groups for our clients, which provide a space to learn about various topics such as coping with the stress of migration, parenting in the U.S., adapting to a new culture, and more. The groups are also a way for clients to connect with other New Americans with similar experiences, build community, and receive support from clinicians.

Case Management

Case management services are part of an integrative and comprehensive approach to achieving optimal mental health for clients. Case managers help clients identify and coordinate resources, advocate for clients and provide crisis intervention services. The case managers work with each client to create a client-centered individual service plan with concrete goals, along with an outline of the resources needed to meet those goals.

Wellness Plans

Housing instability, lack of access to medical care, food insufficiency, inadequate childcare, family violence, and other stressors have a negative impact on mental well-being and prevent clients from engaging in therapeutic services. We provide a holistic approach through a team of clinicians, case managers, assisting with mental health needs to construct a holistic and comprehensive wellness plan for each individual in need of care to satisfactorily meet their and their families’ needs as they arise.

Questions and Referrals

For questions about the program contact us by our email