Learning to Work with Trauma Survivors: Lessons from Tbilisi, Georgia

Soc Work Public Health. 2017 Jan 2;32(1):53-64. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2016.1188744. Epub 2016 Jul 8.

Abstract

Survivors of armed conflict may experience traumatic stress, psychological symptoms, distress, or other behavioral health issues related to the disaster of war. This article outlines the historical background of the Russian-Georgian war, details the implementation of social work in the developing country of Georgia, and describes the training and application of social work knowledge and values using macro and micro examples of interventions that provide Masters of social work students and social workers with tools to address the needs of refugees affected by disaster. Following the macro- and microexamples, pedagogy and implications for social workers and social work students working with victims of trauma with few available resources are discussed.

Keywords: Trauma; art; needs assessment; pedagogy; refugees.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Georgia (Republic)
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Refugees / psychology*
  • Social Work*
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • War Exposure / history*
  • Warfare
  • Wounds and Injuries / psychology*
  • Young Adult