Psychosocial Support (PSS) Counselor

The Psychosocial Support (PSS) Counselor is a crucial member of the TILY team in Hit, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. This role focuses on providing comprehensive psychosocial support to returnee women and their families, addressing the unique challenges they face upon returning to their communities. The PSS Counselor will facilitate group sessions, conduct psychoeducational workshops, offer cultural reintegration support, and connect individuals and families to essential community resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Family Support Groups:

•    Facilitate structured group sessions for returnee women and their families to foster communication, mutual support, and shared coping mechanisms.

•    Utilize a trauma-informed approach to create a safe and supportive environment for participants.

•    Lead discussions on topics relevant to family dynamics, trauma recovery, communication skills, conflict resolution, and stress management.

•    Encourage active participation, peer support, and the development of healthy coping strategies.

•    Monitor group dynamics and individual needs, providing additional support or referrals as needed.

 

Psychoeducational Workshops:

•    Develop and deliver psychoeducational workshops on various topics related to reintegration and psychological well-being, including stress management, healthy coping skills, positive parenting, building resilience, and managing trauma triggers.

•    Utilize interactive presentations, group discussions, skill-building exercises, and handouts with practical tips and resources to engage participants and enhance learning.

•    Tailor workshop content to the specific needs and cultural context of the target population.

•    Evaluate workshop effectiveness and make adjustments as needed.

Cultural Reintegration Support:

•    Facilitate group sessions and individual consultations to address the cultural adjustments and challenges faced by returnee women and their families.

•    Discuss cultural norms, values, traditions, and expectations, helping participants navigate the process of reintegration.

•    Provide support in exploring identity, belonging, and reconnecting with the community.

•    Facilitate dialogue and resource sharing among participants.

•    Connect individuals and families with community leaders, cultural organizations, and other resources that can aid in their cultural reintegration.

Referral and Linkage to Community Resources:

•    Conduct individual needs assessments to identify areas where additional support may be beneficial.

•    Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of community resources available in the Hit area, including employment assistance, legal services, housing support, medical care, educational opportunities, and mental health services.

•    Connect individuals and families to relevant resources, providing advocacy, appointment accompaniment, and follow-up support as needed.

•    Build and maintain relationships with community partners and service providers to ensure seamless coordination of care.

Additional Responsibilities:

•    Collaborate with other team members, including clinical psychologists, case managers, and community outreach workers, to provide comprehensive support to returnee women and their families.

•    Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and supervision to ensure quality service delivery.

•    Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions and progress.

•    Contribute to program development, implementation, and evaluation.

•    Stay informed about current research and best practices in psychosocial support and cultural reintegration.

•    Adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain confidentiality.