ik Matter
of Mist
Bilingual social worker Talyana Gassel
understands the emotional struggles of
Russian emigres.
RUTH LITTMAN STAFF WRITER
new land.
sychology wasn't
At Jewish Family Service,
a popular sci-
Ms. Gassel's caseload num-
ence in the Sovi-
bers 40. More than half her
et Union. Tatyana
clients are Russian — and for
Gassel, Jewish Fam-
good reason.
ily Service's first bilin-
"Therapy through a trans-
gual social worker, thinks she
lator is pretty much a lost
might have perused a book on
case," she says. "In order to
Freud in her spare time, but
provide the therapy, knowl-
she doesn't remember com-
edge of the culture is neces-
munist schools offering
sary, not just the language.
courses on mental health.
Culture affects the way peo-
Fourteen years ago, Ms.
ple perceive problems, ap-
Gassel immigrated to the
proach life and the way their
United States from Moscow.
mentality is
She was 22
structured."
years old and
Without in-
alone. The eco-
depth under-
nomics degree
standing of
she earned
Russian culture,
from a Russian
Ms. Gassel says,
college didn't
a social worker
make up for the
would have a
fact that the job
hard time un-
market was
derstanding
competitive.
why so many
Life was a con-
emigres resist
stant struggle.
help for emo-
"I came from
Tatyana Gassel
tional problems
a very warm,
— even though
very close fam-
they often need it badly.
ily, and I had never been on
Marriages of many new
my own before" she says. "I
Americans fall apart when
was a very young 22. Looking
couples try to withstand the
back on it, I would say it was
stress of immigration. Find-
a hard, but educational, ex-
ing a job is difficult, but worse
perience."
than unemployment can be
Ms. Gassel worked —
the loss of status when a for-
babysitting, bussing tables,
mer engineer or doctor finds
house cleaning — until she
work as a janitor or busboy.
became a dental hygienist.
Despite the anguish these
She made enough money to
situations engender, Rus-
bring her family to the
sians resist therapy because
States. Then she went back
"it could be considered vent-
to school.
ing your dirty laundry in pub-
She received her bachelor's
lic," Ms. Gassel says.
in psychology and sociology
"It is more accepted in this
and a master's of social work,
(U.S.) culture that people go
all from the University of
for mental help. It carries a
Michigan. Life experiences
significant stigma in the
sparked her interest in the
Russian culture. People share
field, she says. Now she's
(their troubles) with a close
helping other emigres face up
circle of friends, or family.
to their own challenges in a
"'They should
be dealt
with by
psychologists
—not vodka."
Tatyana Gassel says understanding Russian culture is imperative.
Families are very close."
Ms. Gassel's success in
treating emigres comes from
establishing trust. Her clients
express deep concern that the
tight-knit Jewish refugee
community in Detroit will
hear of their woes. Ms. Gas-
sel assures them that what
they say to Jewish Family
Service social workers will re-
main confidential.
Since beginning work at
JFS a year ago, Ms. Gassel is
encouraged by the increasing
numbers of emigres who take
the initiative.
"I've been surprised.
They've requested my ser-
vices on their own," she says.
"The newer emigres call me
more often than the older
TRUST page 94
Prim Stiop receives counseling.