Mental Health Work with Ukrainian Migrants: Reflections Using Maslow’s Theoretical Lens

Within this paper I reflect upon the challenges I encountered as a result of the war in Ukraine, both personally as a Ukrainian-Canadian, and professionally, as a psychotherapist working with Ukrainian migrants. I begin by providing context on my personal experiences, and proceed to discuss my journey as a mental health practitioner engaging in support-group work in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). I employ the theoretical framework of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to provide a lens through which I can assess my own growth as an individual, in addition to providing a framework for my assessment of the progress among my support group participants. Key themes that this reflection will emphasize are the importance of holding a safe space for others, facilitating a “felt sense” of safety, and promoting a sense of belonging within a community. I conclude with a discussion of the benefits of applying Maslow’s theory in the context of psychotherapy, and suggest that the application of Maslow’s theory can be expanded upon within the helping professions more widely, specifically within the nursing field.