Announcement
Chaundra Finley-Merrell, LMSW, describes her path to the International Rescue Committee in Dallas as “a bread crumb trail from the universe.” Before she worked with refugees, Chaundra’s research focused on the use of coping strategies in addressing trauma and stress in children and military families, a form of treatment which overlaps in the care of refugees. Starting as a volunteer at the IRC in Dallas, Chaundra piloted the Mental Health Program alongside a volunteer psychiatrist, Dr. Peter Polatin. She continued on to join our staff, supporting clients through individual and group counseling sessions.
Meet Chaundra Finley-Merrell, LMSW, the Mental Health Coordinator at the IRC in Dallas.
Photo: Chaundra Finley-Merrell
As emotional distress is common among newly resettled refugees, IRC staff noticed a need for extended, casework-coordinated assistance with coping during the adjustment period. Using evidence-based methods, staff are able to monitor and respond to the diverse needs of IRC clients while ensuring continuity of care. As a volunteer with the IRC, Chaundra worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, coming up with creative solutions to support their needs.
For many refugees, “from Harm to Home” means separation from everyone they know. In Chaundra’s office, clients are able to find a sense of stability and support. She holds a women’s’ support group monthly, bringing together women who have been separated from immediate family members for an indefinite amount of time.
One of these women, Nicole*, a young mother of one-year-old twin daughters, clings to hope that her husband will someday rejoin their small family. Her eyes lit up as she shared the story of how they met; yet she is not immune to the difficulties she faces as a new mother. The women’s group and individual counseling with Chaundra has helped Nicole better cope with the separation and build a community support system, thousands of miles away from her family.
Today, the IRC in Dallas is expanding for the Mental Health Program to meet the needs of all of our clients. This year, we welcomed our first cohort of social work interns, and we hope to continue expanding field placement internships for PhD candidates.
The IRC in Dallas has a need for volunteer licensed clinicians (LMSW, LCSW, LPCI, LPC) who are bilingual.
If you are a licensed clinician interested in volunteering with the IRC in Dallas, please contact [email protected].
*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of our client.
Story by: Sarah Shaikh, External Relations Intern