Psychotherapist

For more than 35 years, Médecins du Monde (MdM), a campaigning medical organization committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations at home and abroad. It has continued to highlight obstacles that exist in accessing health care and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies. Those working for this independent organization do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations. MdM currently works in 44 countries across all continents where it focuses on 4 priority areas: caring for the health of migrants and displaced persons, promoting sexual and reproductive health, combating HIV and reducing the harm and risks associated with drug use, crises and conflicts. Since 2011 the conflict between the Syrian army and the opposition has resulted in massive displacements of the population within the country and into neighboring countries, particularly to Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Following assessments in these countries, MdM activities started on Syrian borders in May 2012, offering primary and specialized healthcare services for refugee and displaced Syrian populations. MdM has been working in Lebanon for nearly 30 years and specifically on the response to the Syrian crisis since 2012. The goal of MdM in Lebanon is to offer care to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese affected by this crisis. Currently, medical assistance is provided through 4 partners in 5 primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in the Bekaa and Mount Lebanon. MdM is also providing mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) services to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in 4 PHCCs in the Bekaa and Beirut.   MDM is looking for 3 Psychotherapists, 2 with full-time contract, 1 part-time. Place: PHC centres in the Bekaa, Beirut or Mt Lebanon Area-Lebanon Main objective: Contribute to the protection and improvement of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of the displaced population and the strained host population in Lebanon.   Main responsibilities:  Assist in the coordination of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities among different mental health staff and with PHC staff. Coordinate with the case-management team (social workers, community mental health workers) on the implementation of all MH interventions and activities. Properly diagnose, support and treat mental health cases. Sensitisation and capacity building among PHC staff, the refugee community and host population about MHPSS. Utilize the referral system between community and PHC Centre as well as to secondary treatment level. Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the mental health status at community level. Assist in the development and implementation of preventive mental health measures at both the community and PHC Centre level. Assist in the development and implementation of psycho-social activities within the refugee community and host population. Take an active role in all proposed research and/or MH assessments to be conducted on the field. Main responsibilities and activities of the Psychotherapists can change according to the organization of the work and to the composition of the team.   Main activities: 1.     Coordinate mental health activities among different mental health staff and with PHC staff Work with the case-management team on mental health issues presented in PHC Centres and within   communities/settlements. Assist in the assessment of mental health needs and proposition of interventions in coordination with the partner PHC Centres and the MH Coordinator to improve or settle mental health coverage. Clinical documentation of all individual and group therapy activities. Weekly reporting on mental health activities and data collected. When required participate in regular meetings with key actors, GSMH and PHC departments; When required, participation in network/coordination meetings concerning mental health. Participation in MDM internal meetings and individual meetings with the MH Coordinator and MHPSS Supervisor.  2.     Diagnose and treat mental health cases. Provide appropriate mental health support and/or treatment through individual counselling, group therapy, and psycho-education to all beneficiaries in need. Work directly with the case-management team to develop individualized intervention plans and follow up at the PHC or home/ shelter level.  3.      Developing community mental health interventions Participate in defining effective and culturally appropriate approaches and interventions on the community level. Focus on information dissemination and collecting opinions to foster knowledge and self-control of people living in the community and informal settlements. Work on building and encouraging important support networks within and amongst the target population.  4.     Sensitisation and capacity building among PHC staff about mental health. Prepare awareness/training sessions about MHPSS guidelines for Primary Health Care centres. In coordination with MH Coordinator, train MDM’s case-management team as well as partner’s staff and community members on MHPSS issues.  5.     Utilize the referral system between community and PHC Centre as well as to secondary treatment level Assist in the development of effective referral systems between the community and PHC level. Utilize the referral system to secondary mental health care.  6.     Analysis, detection and reduction of risk factors influencing the mental health status at community level In collaboration with the mental health team, explore and detect potential risk factors influencing mental health status of the target population. When required, coordinate with other stakeholders to reduce and/or eliminate potential risk factors. Participate in any intended MH research study and/or professional field assessment.      7.     Develop and perform preventive measures for stable mental health at community and PHC Centre level In collaboration with the mental health team, establish and implement innovative preventive mental health interventions such as art therapy, psychodrama, etc.