National Psychology Training Consortium

Introductory --- Designed for psychologists who may have little to no background in a specialized skill or content area. The learner can become acquainted with the theoretical underpinnings, principles, methods, and  perspectives of a content area. Although it can be used as a foundation for more advanced learning, a program may simply focus on breadth, enrichment or general knowledge.

Course Description and Target Audience

This presentation, Mental Health in Immigrant and Refugee Communities, provides doctoral students in psychology and counseling with a comprehensive foundation for understanding and addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by immigrants and refugees. The session begins with an overview of U.S. immigration law and policy, exploring key pathways such as family-based immigration, refugee and asylum processes, and the complexities of undocumented status and temporary protections like DACA. Participants will then delve into major mental health themes, including trauma from countries of origin, the dangers of the immigration journey, and the psychological toll of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. Additional topics cover the impact of acculturative stress, role reversals within immigrant families, and health disparities that hinder access to mental health services. Using evidence-based insights from recent studies, the presentation highlights how legal precarity, systemic inequities, and cultural factors intersect with mental well-being. Practical strategies for fostering resilience, cultural competence, and advocacy are woven throughout, empowering participants to support immigrant communities effectively in clinical practice. Target audience: Mental health professionals who work with immigrants or immigrant families.

The topic and materials presented are highly accurate, empirically grounded, and relevant to the intersections of immigration and mental health. The content is informed by foundational research, including studies such as Lebrón et al. (2023), which highlight systemic inequities and health disparities affecting immigrant communities, and Bruzelius & Baum (2019), which detail the mental health impacts of immigration policy changes. Empirical evidence supports key themes, such as the psychological toll of legal precarity, demonstrated by Patler et al. (2021) in their examination of DACA recipients' well-being. Research by Mattingly et al. (2020) underscores the effects of family separation and restrictive immigration policies on children’s mental health, while Mukherjee et al. (2018) provides insights into societal attitudes and their impact on immigrant populations. These studies, paired with real-world applications, ensure the materials are not only accurate but also directly applicable to clinical practice, making them highly useful for students preparing to serve immigrant and refugee communities effectively. While the topic and materials presented are robust and empirically grounded, there are some limitations to consider. 

One significant challenge is the reliance on existing research, which may not capture the full diversity of immigrant and refugee experiences, particularly for underrepresented groups such as Black immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, or those from smaller migration corridors. For instance, while studies like Lebrón et al. (2023) and Bruzelius & Baum (2019) provide valuable insights, they primarily focus on Hispanic/Latino populations, potentially overlooking cultural and systemic nuances faced by other immigrant groups. Contradictory evidence also exists regarding the impacts of immigration policies. Mukherjee et al. (2018) suggests that support for restrictive policies often stems from identity defense or law-and-order concerns, which complicates narratives that solely frame anti-immigrant rhetoric as harmful without examining the social psychology behind these attitudes. Additionally, Patler et al. (2021) highlights the psychological benefits of programs like DACA, but also acknowledges that these benefits are limited by ongoing legal uncertainty and the program’s impermanence, suggesting that even supportive policies may not fully alleviate mental health burdens. Moreover, the presentation focuses on systemic and policy-level challenges but may underemphasize the agency and resilience of immigrant communities, which are crucial for a balanced narrative. Finally, data limitations or biases in some studies, such as self-reported measures of mental health, may affect the generalizability of findings. Addressing these limitations in future materials could further enrich the discussion and applicability for diverse contexts. No known risks.

I make sure diversity and diverse identities are a key part of this presentation by showing how different factors—like ethnicity, race, gender, legal status, and more—affect the mental health of immigrants and refugees. I use research and examples that include a wide range of immigrant groups, like Hispanic/Latino, Black, Asian, and Middle Eastern communities, so the presentation reflects real-world diversity. Case studies and discussions focus on different cultural, legal, and personal backgrounds to help participants think about the unique challenges people face. I also highlight how systemic issues like racism and anti-immigrant policies impact mental health while pointing out the strengths and protective factors within immigrant communities, like faith, family, and social networks. Throughout, I include practical tips for providing culturally sensitive care so participants leave equipped to meet the needs of people from diverse backgrounds.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to explain the key pathways and legal frameworks of U.S. immigration, including asylum, refugee status, family-based immigration, and the implications of undocumented status, to provide context for mental health challenges in immigrant communities.
• Participants will be able to identify and describe the unique mental health challenges faced by immigrants and refugees, such as trauma from their country of origin, the immigration journey, acculturative stress, and the impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies.
• Participants will be able to analyze how systemic inequities, such as barriers to healthcare access and legal precarity, intersect with cultural, linguistic, and generational factors to influence mental health outcomes in diverse immigrant populations.
• Participants will be able to develop culturally sensitive strategies for psychological practice, including trauma-informed care, advocacy for immigrant rights, and leveraging protective factors such as community networks and cultural strengths, to effectively support immigrant and refugee clients.

Presenter Information

Zach Szmara founded and leads Immigrant Connection with a groundbreaking model that has enabled unprecedented scaling—training 100+ immigration legal representatives and opening 45+ offices in both urban and rural settings across 25+ states. This innovative, sustainable, immigrant-centric approach makes high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services accessible. Over 40,000 immigrant families have gained stability, security, and new opportunities through Immigrant Connection’s network of immigration legal services offices, transforming lives and communities nationwide. Zach has degrees in Anthropology, Intercultural Studies, Ethics, and Theology. He has lived overseas in Mozambique and Papua New Guinea. Zach is married to Lyndy, a special education educator, and they have one son, Isaac.

Video Homestudy Format

CE’s for this homestudy training will be earned through completing the following tasks:

• Watch the presentation video and review all provided documents in their entirety.
• Pass the post-test questionnaire with at least 80% correct.

A program evaluation form will be provided to all who registered following the training. Please be sure to complete this form since your feedback helps direct future CE programming from our organization.

Registration Cost

This cost includes video links, materials, and tests required to obtain CE’s. Your CE certificate will be made available to you upon successful completion of the training (80% or higher on exam).

National Psychology Training Consortium (NPTC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPTC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.