Coming to Terms with Ukrainian/Russian Identity During the War: An American Social Worker’s Perspective

Authors

  • Natalia "Natasha" Smith The University of Alabama

Keywords:

adoption, cultural competency, crisis intervention, cultural trauma, identity

Abstract

Conflict in Ukraine has disrupted the lives of millions of people, including orphaned children. Yet, the consequences of the war in Ukraine extend beyond the Ukrainian border. The current crisis also impacts Ukrainian adoptees in the United States. Social workers are in a position to help children and families dealing with the effects of the crisis. My narrative adds another voice to the academic conversation from the perspective of a Ukrainian adoptee and a licensed clinical social worker working on coming to terms with multicultural identity as it pertains to the war in Ukraine. Additionally, it guides social workers who may be working with current or future adoptees in a therapeutic space by emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed services to address the intersection of institutionalization, adoption transition, and the impact of the current crisis in Ukraine.

Author Biography

Natalia "Natasha" Smith, The University of Alabama

Natalia “Natasha” Smith, MSW, LICSW-S, PIP is Doctoral Candidate, School of Social Work, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (nalangner@crimson.ua.edu).

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Published

2024-07-15

How to Cite

Smith, N. "Natasha". (2024). Coming to Terms with Ukrainian/Russian Identity During the War: An American Social Worker’s Perspective. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 30(3), 10–19. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2074

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