Dr. Sophie Yohani is a registered psychologist interested in refugee and immigrant mental health, trauma, and resilience. She is an Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology and the former Director of the Counselling Centre in the Division of Clinical Services at the University of Alberta. Dr. Yohani’s research explores conflict-related trauma and psychosocial adaptation outcomes of women, children, and families based on pre- and post-migration experiences and program implications in education and community settings. Her current research projects use community-based participatory methods to explore the psychosocial adaptation and well-being of Middle Eastern and African refugees in Canada. Dr. Yohani also engages in various community projects aimed at mental health capacity building, intercultural understanding, and the integration of newcomers to Canada. As a member of the Black Canadian community, her work has also included community-based initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing the settlement, integration, and well-being of African immigrants. Her interests have led to a wide variety of international experiences, including working with street youth in Tanzania, educators in Kenya, and, recently, clinical psychology students as an adjunct visiting professor at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Dr. Yohani’s work in the area of trauma and refugee mental health has included developing culturally appropriate mental health initiatives for immigrant and refugee women in sexual assault centers and immigrant serving agencies in Canada.

Selected Publications:

Yohani, S. (2020). The mental health of refugees: An examination of discourses on psychological challenges and restoration of wellbeing. In. E. Lee & Moodley, R. (Eds), Routledge International Handbook of Race, Culture & Mental Health. Routledge.

Yohani, S. (2020). Engendering hope using photography in arts-based research with children and youth. In L. McKay, S. Garvis., V. Sappa., & G. Barton (Eds.), Arts-based Research, Resilience and Well-being Across the Lifespan. Springer-Palgrave MacMillan.

Okraku, O, & Yohani, S. (2020). Resilience in the face of adversity: A focused ethnography of Liberian former girl child soldiers living in Ghana. Journal of International Migration & Integration. Published on-line Aug 22, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-020-00769-y

Richter, S., Yohani, S., Vallianatos, H., & Higginbottom, G.M.A. (2020). Health literacy. A determinant of healthy eating and active living in Canadian immigrant youth. Health Promotion International, 1-11. Published on-line Aug 4, 2020. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaa053

Salami, B., Alaazi, D., Yohani, S., Vallianatos, H., Okeke-Ihejirika, P., & Nsaliwa, C. (2020). Parent-child relationships among African immigrant families in Alberta, Canada. Family Relations. Published on-line May 28, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12454

Salami, B., Alaazi, D., Okeke-Ihejirika, P., Yohani, S., Vallianatos, H., Tetreault, B., & Nsaliwa, C. (2020). Parenting challenges of African immigrants in Alberta, Canada. Child & Family Social Work. Published on-line on January 2, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12725

Alaazi, D., Salami, B., Yohani, S., Vallianatos, H., Okeke-Ihejirika, P., & Nsaliwa. (2018) Transnationalism, parenting, and child disciplinary practices of African immigrants in Alberta, Canada. Child Abuse & Neglect, 86, 147-157. Published on-line Oct 2018

Wong, A. H. & Yohani, S. (2016). An exploratory study of resilience in postsecondary refugee students living in Canada. Canadian Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy, 50 (3-S), S175-S192.

Yohani, S. C. (2010). Nurturing hope in refugee children during early years of post-war adjustment. Child & Adolescent Services Review 32, 865-873.

Faculty Page: https://apps.ualberta.ca/directory/person/sparkins