| Sumario: | Local authorities in the UK have considerable challenges supporting asylum-seeking and refugee care leavers. Although there is growing research interest in forced migration, refugee, and asylum-seeker trauma, research is sparse on trauma and transition into adulthood of refugees and asylum-seeking care leavers. The study aims to explore in depth the subjective experiences of African refugees and asylum-seeking care leavers in London to understand the connections between the trauma of migration and their transition to adulthood. It also aims to give the young people a voice. The study is based on doctoral research findings on this population's trauma and transitions to adulthood. A qualitative psychoanalytically informed Free Association Narrative Interview (FANI) was employed to address these aims. Six young people were interviewed, and data was analysed using an 'evolved' thematic approach. The findings suggest that young people's response to trauma is complex, and the impact is non-linear. Trauma can impact these young people negatively. However, trauma can also be positive. Implications for practice include acknowledging their trauma divergences, building strong relationships with the young people, utilising trauma-informed and strength-based practice and paying attention to the 'psychic apparatus' role of professionals working with them to help them make sense of their experiences.
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