Research Article 2026-04-22 posted v1

Clinical Supervision Experiences and Needs of Mental Health Professionals Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Systematic Review

M
Makbule DURAN MUCUK
M
Melike KOÇYİĞİT

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review aims to thoroughly explore the supervision experiences, needs, and challenges encountered by mental health professionals and social workers engaged with refugees and asylum seekers. Method: A comprehensive search across the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases identified 27 studies (2000–2026) that met the criteria for inclusion and exclusion, which were subsequently included in the review. These studies span research from 15 different countries and contexts, utilizing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs, with data analyzed through a descriptive and interpretive thematic synthesis approach. Findings: The thematic synthesis revealed four primary themes: (1) Psychological Burdens and Supervision: Mental health professionals working with refugees face unique psychological burdens, such as secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout, which place them at a higher risk compared to those in other fields, highlighting the necessity of supervision support; (2) Supervision Experiences and Access: Factors such as geographic distance, limited resources, and institutional neglect of supervision hinder access to supervision; (3) Cultural and Contextual Factors: The success of supervision is heavily reliant on context-sensitive approaches that consider the cultural, linguistic, and political aspects of refugees; (4) Supervision Models and Practices: Innovative frameworks like PEACE, BECCS, and data-driven remote supervision models present feasible alternatives in resource-limited humanitarian settings. Conclusion: The review's findings suggest that structured, high-quality, and context-sensitive supervision for mental health professionals and social workers dealing with refugees and asylum seekers is vital not only for maintaining professional quality but also for ensuring professional sustainability. Based on the study's findings, it is advised that policymakers, institutional leaders, and clinical practitioners focus on assessing the adaptation of cultural competence training specifically for supervision, technology-supported remote online supervision models, and peer supervision in settings requiring humanitarian aid, such as those serving refugees.

Citation Information

@article{makbuleduranmucuk2026,
  title={Clinical Supervision Experiences and Needs of Mental Health Professionals Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Systematic Review},
  author={Makbule DURAN MUCUK and Melike KOÇYİĞİT},
  journal={Research Square},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9383040/v1}
}
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