Counselling Training in Sri Lanka Summer 2006

Between July and August 2006, I was asked to deliver 3 separate three day courses in Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills in Sri Lanka. These were certificated by Anniesland College. The three days were quite distinctive with day one looking at improving listening skills, day two focusing on empathy and a deeper level of understanding and the final day was identifying possible indications of depression, stress and stages of bereavement.

The first course took place in CHPB in Colombo where 16 students attended from quite diverse backgrounds. Their understanding of English was good as was their level of enthusiasm! Role plays were conducted in Singhala so were harder to monitor.

The second course had 18 students gain an attendance certificate. This group were mainly local people from the Matara area who were intending to volunteer to help the SBVF and spend available time supporting people affected by the tsunami in the region. English was more of a problem so the clinic provided a translator who was also able to explain jargon which helped enormously and stimulated a lot of questions.

There were 14 students on the final course and again the translator was necessary. This was the group with the least understanding of English so took lots of reinforcement of learning. However, the awareness to alternative helping strategies will, I am sure, lead to fresh ways to approach working with users of the service. The diversity of their professional backgrounds will benefit the centre as several were seconded from the water board, most were teachers and lecturers and five were Buddhist monks.

Personally, I feel that the whole training experience was of huge benefit to both the individuals that attended and also any service users they may support in the future. I was astonished by the level of interest and enthusiasm for learning about what is essentially a new concept in Sri Lanka. A large majority of those who attended requested further training. Overall, it was a fascinating and uplifting experience.

Kirsten Amis
Lecturer
Anniesland College