IMPORTANCE OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

WHO WE CAN TRAIN

Post-emergency efforts for Post-emergency efforts for psychological support in Georgiapsychological support in Georgia

Services provided: group or individual psychological/psychosocial support

Target groups: children and adults Main target areas: Gori, “former buffer

zone” and Tbilisi

Need for further intervention and Need for further intervention and assistance for IDPs/returneesassistance for IDPs/returnees

Two phases of trauma: immediate and longer-term

Consequences if untreated IDPs in certain areas of Georgia remain

without psychological support Potential for further escalation of conflict

situation >> more war-affected population

Why Why CBTCBT??

Small # of sessions required for therapy (10-20)

Skills learned can be generalized to other situations and can be used universally

Effectiveness of CBT – positive outcome for 80% of patients/clients

Necessary conditions for successful outcome: - clients regularly attend CBT sessions

- clients practice “homework” between the sessions

What are the gaps? What are the gaps?

Lack of professionals capable of working with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques

Lack of abilities to identify possible PTSD or related cases

Lack of understanding of the problem and its importance

Threat of burnout/elevated stress levels for emergency relief workers

Potential trainee groupsPotential trainee groups

Medical personnel – practitioners

- Pediatricians

- Doctors usually having first contact with clients/ general practitioners

- Emergency/ambulance service workers- Psychiatrists

Potential trainee groups cont. (1)Potential trainee groups cont. (1)

Students

- Psychology students (MA and PhD level)

- Resident medical students

Potential trainee groups cont. (2)Potential trainee groups cont. (2)

NGO practitioners

- Psychologists

- Social workers

- Caregivers

Potential trainee groups cont. (3)Potential trainee groups cont. (3)

School and kindergarten personnel

- Psychologists

- Doctors or nurses

- Interested teachers

Potential trainee groups cont. (4)Potential trainee groups cont. (4)

IDPs/returnees

- IDP/returnee doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, etc.

- Non-specialist IDPs from the collective centers or returnees to the villages

Types of trainingTypes of training

Trainings will be individually tailored Trainings can be relatively short and focused on

screening and mastery of basic relaxation techniques, or long and more thorough with more therapeutic focus

Trainings will be based on needs assessment and suited to particular capacities of the potential group of trainees

Careful selection methods will be used to identify relevant staff members to be trained

Need for PTSD treatment systemNeed for PTSD treatment system

A system/network of services needs to be established in order to allow quick identification, referral and treatment of post-traumatic conditions

Mobile services should be used whenever necessary >> ability to adapt to changing/emerging needs

Early identification andEarly identification andBasic supportBasic support

Schools/kindergartensSchools/kindergartens

NGOsNGOs

Doctors: Ambulance personnel, general Doctors: Ambulance personnel, general practitioners, pediatricianspractitioners, pediatricians

IDPs/ communityIDPs/ community

Treatment/professional support Treatment/professional support for PTSDfor PTSD

Healthcare systemHealthcare system

Specialized NGO servicesSpecialized NGO services

Thank you!Thank you!