Training counsellors in low and middle income countries in single session counselling: helping mental health and psychosocial workers to get on top of feelings of powerlessness

Guus van der Veer
clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and mental health consultant, and since 1994 is also active as a trainer for MHPSS and Mental Health workers. He is currently an editor and former Editor-in-Chief of Intervention

Correspondence Address:

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

This article describes an approach to training mental health and psychosocial support workers in post disaster areas and areas of armed conflict in single session counselling, also known as Single Session Therapy. This field report also adds further information to earlier publications on the reasons for practicing Single Session Therapy. The training here described offers the participants a systematic approach, as well as a theoretical explanation of the interdependency of three core activities of a Single Session Therapy therapist: offering recognition, psycho-education and reframing. Single Session Therapy is not only helpful for mental health and psychosocial support workers as it can be effective in restarting the development of people who have become stuck in their problems. Practicing the approach also helps workers make the best of desperate situations and enable them to continue when surrounded by hopelessness. Thus, providing training in Single Session Therapy can also work as a form of staff care.