A Practical Approach to Counseling Refugees: Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abstract

Conflicts across the globe push hundreds of thousands of refugees to pursue shelter and safety in other countries. As individuals and families continue to be resettled in the United States, both professional school and mental health counselors may encounter clients who are refugees or asylum seekers. This article addresses both the universal needs and the unique experiences people with refugee status have entering the United States. Use of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs provides a practical, humanistic framework for counselors who work with this population. Specific mental health needs and an approach to counseling are explored with a case study to illustrate application. Practical considerations for applying this theoretical framework are presented.

Resettlement Stressors for Women of Refugee Background Resettled in Regional Australia

“…These findings build on previous research which has highlighted that individuals of refugee background seek support for social and practical needs over other needs such as treatment for mental health through talk therapies [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. This aligns with theoretical frameworks including Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, in which physiological needs and safety needs need to be addressed before an individual’s psychological needs can be a focus [ 44 ], and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) frameworks, which emphasise that social, political and economic factors sustain inequalities and health outcomes [ 5 ]. Stemming from the influential research by Mikkonen and Raphael [ 45 ], which synthesised and highlighted how social inequalities, in particular low income, goes hand in hand with health inequalities, research investigating the SDoH has increased significantly over the past decade [ 46 ], with the impact of SDoH on refugee populations during resettlement starting to be highlighted [ 5 , 47 ].…”

Analisis Hierarki Kebutuhan Maslow Dalam Pembelajaran Daring Anak Usia Dasar: Analisis Jurnal Sinta 2 Sampai 6

“…Kebahagiaan seseorang apabila disukai dan bisa bersosialisasi dengan baik bersama orang lain (Mahrus & Itqon, 2020). Social needs merupakan kebutuhan untuk dicintai dan menjadi bagian dari suatu kelompok (Lonn & Dantzler, 2017). Kebutuhan cinta dan rasa memiliki bisa juga diartikan kebutuhan seseorang untuk dicintai dan mencintai orang lain (Yunailis, 2019).…”

A critical systems thinking approach to empower refugees based on Maslow's theory of human motivation

“…In 1977, Adler described the situation of immigrants in Israel according to the theory of human needs. In a recent study conducted by Lonn and Dantzler (), the hierarchy of needs was used to guide counselling for refugees in the United States, providing a thorough review of the work of Maslow in terms of the levels of the hierarchy. Other sections of the original paper are not well represented in that report.…”