Psychotherapist

An opportunity has arisen for a psychotherapist to join the AJEM multidisciplinary team in their work across Lebanese prisons. The core task of the post holder will be to offer psychotherapy, both group and individual, to people who present with severe and complex mental health problems. The applicant will be required to undertake psychotherapy assessments and make clear and decisive clinical judgements. The assessment process will be aimed to provide the basis of psychotherapeutic treatment, or may go towards supporting the thinking and care plans of colleagues and teams working directly with the individual in another services.     The psychotherapist will be asked to work in various detention centers and prisons in Lebanon, to take in the prisoners upon their entry in prison, accompany them and gather information on potential allegation of torture or inhuman treatments suffered since their arrest, and also help them develop a rehabilitation project aiming at social reinsertion.   We are working in the context of high demand and need, with limited resources. The capacity to constructively respond to these demands is key. We are looking for someone who has the capacity to engage resiliently with their work, can remain open and active in working towards changing cultures, challenging perceptions, promoting psychotherapy and developing service provision.    Main responsibilities include: Ensuring systematic and coordinated provision of psychotherapy assessment and treatment to clients with complex mental health problems, including people with severe and challenging behaviors, Conducting individual sessions with prisoners, on a weekly or monthly basis, based on the nature of the problem and the level of need, Encouraging the client to talk about and explore their feelings and behaviors in relation to the issue at hand, Running group sessions in some prisons, Liaising with and working effectively alongside other professionals, teams and agencies involved in the service user’s care, ensuring the provision of coherent, timely, effective and safe interventions to the individual Taking part in the regular departmental and organizational meetings, Keeping up-to-date about developments in theory and research in the field, Evaluating therapy outcomes and writing monthly, quantitative and qualitative, reports, Working within professional guidelines and other overall framework of the team’s policies and procedures. Skills A broad-minded, non-judgmental attitude and a respect for others, A keen awareness of people and their emotional problems, An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and also an awareness of its limitations, A belief in people's inherent ability to change and develop, Ability to separate one’s own feelings from those of the client’s, An energetic and positive approach, Good communication skills, The ability to work alone as well as in consultation with others, An understanding of equality and diversity issues.