Sophie C Yohani

Sophie C. Yohani

Assistant Professor

Educational Psychology
sophie.yohani@ualberta.ca

Research and Interests

Sophie Yohani is a psychologist with background in counselling psychology, global mental health, elementary education and experience in community psychology, program development, and community-based research.  Sophie maintains a special interest in childhood and adult trauma and the experiences of hope and resiliency.  She is interested in the mental health outcomes of refugee and immigrants based on pre- and post-migration experiences and program/policy implications in educational and community settings.  She is also interested in the perceptions of trauma, loss, and adaptation from the perspective of survivors and helping professionals who work with diverse and underrepresented populations. 

Sophie’s focus on trauma and adaptation stems from practice that has involved work in private practice, at a Centre for Survivors of Torture and Trauma and a community-based War Rape Initiative. She has explored the use of hope-focused counselling applications to understand resources that individuals and helping professionals utilize to cope and adapt in light of traumatic experiences. Sophie is currently exploring the role of multicultural educational brokers in facilitating the adaptation of refugee children in school settings and the mental health of refugee women and child survivors of war-related violence. 

Professional Affiliations

Sophie Yohani is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta.  Her professional affiliations include the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Canadian Counselling Association (CCA), Psychology Association of Alberta (PAA), Alberta Play Therapy Association, Association of Women Psychologists (AWP), and The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)

Representative Publications and Presentations

Yohani, S. C. (in press). Educational cultural brokers facilitating the school adaptation of refugee children and families: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of International Migration and Integration. (Published on-line November, 2011 - DOI 10.1007/s12134-011-0229-x)

Yohani, S., & Larsen, D. (2012). The cultivation of hope in trauma-focused counselling. In R.A. McMackin, T.M. Keane, E. Newman, & J.M. Fogler (Eds.).Toward an Integrated Approach to Trauma Focused Therapy: Placing Evidence-Based Interventions in an Expanded Psychological Context. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Yohani, S. C. & Hagen, K. (2010). Refugee women survivors of war-related sexualized violence: A multicultural framework for service provision in resettlement countries. Intervention : International Journal of Mental Health, Psychosocial Work and Counselling in Areas of Armed Conflict, 8(3), 207-222

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

Yohani, S. C. (2009). Diversity Issues: Psychologists working with refugees and immigrants. CAP Monitor (Publication of College of Alberta Psychologists), 44, Fall 2009

Yohani, S. C. (2008). Creating an Ecology of Hope: Arts-based Interventions with Refugee Children. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal. 25(4), 309-323.

Presentations

Yohani, S. C, & Okeke, P. (2012, March). Gender, identity, and post-conflict rehabilitation: Addressing the mental healthcare needs of African refugee women in Alberta - Preliminary Results. Paper presented at the 14th National Metropolis Conference, Toronto, Canada.

Yohani, S., Brar, N., & Khalema, N.E. (2011, October). Cultural brokers and counselors facilitating the mental health of refugee youth. Paper presented at World Congress of Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa.

Yohani, S. & Brar, N. (May, 2011) The mental health of refugee youth: Perspectives from counselors and cultural brokers. Poster presentation at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) Annual Conference, Ottawa, ON.

Yohani, S., Brar, N., Joshee, R., Higginbottom, G., Richter, S., J., Vallianatos, H. & Greenidge, J. (2011, March). Social integration of Canadian immigrants through health literacy and active living. Roundtable presentation at the 13th National Metropolis Conference, Vancouver, BC. 

Yohani, S. C. & Simcisin, S. (2009, May). Adaptation and development of war-affected children after persecution and trauma: Clinical-community perspectives. Paper presented at Canadian Counselling Association Conference, Saskatoon, SK.

Yohani, S. C. (2007, May). An Eco-social Model for Understanding Mental Health Impact of Armed Conflict on Child Soldiers.  Paper presented at Canadian Council of Refugees Spring Consultation Meeting.  Edmonton, Alberta.

Courses Taught

  • EDPY 402: Child Development for Educators
  • EDPY 442: Introduction to Counselling
  • EDPY 533: Basic Issues, Skills and Attitudes in Counselling I
  • EDPY 534: Basic Issues, Skills and Attitudes in Counselling II
  • EDPY 545: Individual Psychological Assessment
  • EDPY 597: Introduction to Play Therapy
  • EDPY 597: Basic Issues, Skills and Attitudes in School Counselling