Organised by the ARD Department of Social Recovery, the Workshop focussed on skills development for persons with no formal or limited counselling training. Dr. Adele Jones, Professor and Acting Head of the University of West Indies (UWI) Department of Behavioral Sciences, and UWI Professor Ms. Michele Sogren volunteered their services to the ARD to facilitate the Workshop, which took place from Saturday, November 12 to Monday November 14.

The participants were encouraged to use their experience to explore various topics, such as the principles and values of counselling, ethics, counselling techniques, assessment techniques and self care, as well as recognising post traumatic stress symptoms.

At the conclusion of the Workshop, participants unanimously agreed that the exercise was “most practical” in that they acquired information and techniques to apply in their work.

The ARD Department of Social Recovery has enhanced counselling services on several fronts. This was achieved by providing training in group facilitation and Play Back theatre techniques for the Community Caravan, which visited all Parishes between April and August this year.

More training will be provided in 2006, as outlined in the Throne Speech, during which Governor General Sir Daniel Williams stated that the ARD “Social Recovery efforts will focus on expanding psycho-social counselling services, utilising the outcome and experience from the Community Caravan.”

Training next year will include an advanced workshop for persons with some formal counselling training.

ARD Director of Social Recovery Dr. Jennifer Holder Dolly said there is a need to support counsellors who respond not only in situations of disasters but also in the every day challenges of living and life transitions.

“This training is intended both to broaden the base of persons with some level of counselling skills, as well as to deepen the capacity of counselling in Grenada to address deeper psychological and emotional issues. Through these initiatives, citizens have the opportunity to vent their frustrations and manage their emotional responses in ways that are positively goal directed,” Dr. Dolly said.

Participants at the Workshop were:

• Miliora DaBreo, Ministry of Education
• Edwin Felix, Ministry of Education
• Joseph Henry, Ministry of Education
• Rhonda Joseph, Ministry of Education
• Alice Alexander, Ministry of Social Development
• Susan Peters, Ministry of Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs
• Abena Miller, the Salvation Army, representing the Grenada Conference of Churches
• Samantha Duncan, Grenada Red Cross
• Wanda Wishart, Canadian Red Cross volunteer at the Grenada Red Cross
• Curlin Alexis, Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic
• Joseph Antoine, GRENSAVE
• Sandra James, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Christine Regis, ARD.