From the organiser of the course:

Cambodia is a post Holocaust nation with enormous trauma ‘fall-out’. This of course means there is a great need for professional counselling, but services in this developing country are minimal and dependent on NGO’s, (non- government organizations). Counselling is also a concept not fully understood in Cambodia, as it generally means being told what to do. With this and a ‘Needs Assessment’ (2017) in mind, it was apparent that a sustainable accredited and professional counselling educational programme was crucial to help in the healing process of the inter-generational trauma.

Following a year of meetings, workshops, business plans, curriculum development and recruiting of Cambodian psychologists trained overseas; the course begins at a private university in the capital city in October. This 2 year part-time accredited diploma ‘health’ counselling course, will be the first in the country.

High quality evidence-based education is essential, therefore the first cohort of students will number twenty-five. This cohort number is the minimum required for covering course costs and yet still providing the support of individuals. The students will each access a minimum of twenty hours’ personal therapy and be supported by a professional supervisor on a monthly basis when on their experiential placements in year two.

This is no mean feat for the students, as due to economic issues they will also ‘hold down’ full time employment; working these hours around studies.

The counselling team consists of 7 sessional teachers (6 are Khmer) and four counselling psychologists offering personal therapy or supervision; who are mindful of maintaining role boundaries. We also have had offers of overseas on-line workshops from highly respected university professors. These workshops will promote discussion in class. A psychologist interpreter will support expatriate facilitators.

“The course has a relational narrative approach, which appears to be the ‘best fit’ for the nation’s needs and culture. This focus will be on education that balances heart and mind; enhancing relationships and gently dissolving the painful trauma prison wall of silence”.