Chances of Psychotherapeutic Interventions and Stabilization with Unaccompanied Minor Refugees During Clearing Procedure and During the Transition Phase to Youth Welfare

Abstract

Chances of Psychotherapeutic Interventions and Stabilization with Unaccompanied Minor Refugees During Clearing Procedure and During the Transition Phase to Youth Welfare In the present clinical report, the experiences with psychotherapeutic crisis intervention for unaccompanied refugee minors in an initial reception and clearing office in Berlin, which have been financed since December 2016 by the association Spatz e. V. from the St Joseph hospital in Berlin-Tempelhof, is reflected. The financing offer results due to the developments in 2015 - a year with an above-average increase in incoming refugees. The significant increase also led to significantly longer waiting times in the clearing process. The forced persistence in a provisional state often led to instability of the psychic coping capacity of the adolescents. However, although there is a high level of psychological distress, post-traumatic as well as depressive symptoms the refugee adolescents have no access to outpatient psychotherapy during the clearing procedure (or the financial coverage of the discussions by health insurance or youth welfare offices). Despite uncertain framework conditions by an unclear future perspective and the resulting lack of "external safety", psychotherapeutic sessions with a focus on stabilization, empowerment and psychoeducation is nevertheless helpful in order to support young people in crisis situation, to counteract acute crisis and to counteract chronification of existing symptoms.