Arts Therapy Clinic-Children in Crisis-CAMBODIA

Nourish - Creative Arts Therapy and Wellbeing

“By taking care of myself, I take care of you” Thich Naht Hahn

Staff Care and wellbeing is one of the core services we provide through Ragamuffin's Arts Therapy Programmes. 

“For persons who work with trauma or crisis, the most important part of coping with the intensity of the work is to acknowledge it will affect you. If you've been trained in crisis intervention and empathic, active listening skills, this work will affect you. If you really listen to what the client is telling you, this work will affect you. Recognising that it is "normal" to be affected by this type of work is the most important coping skill that you can give to yourself.  You're not alone. It's okay to feel outraged, horrified, shocked, saddened, or vulnerable” [1].

These symptoms when not addressed can also have a negative impact on people’s ability to stay well, to communicate, trust each other and cooperate and so work together effectively and productively - the very abilities that development projects depend on for sustainability.

Providing staff teams and organisations the opportunity to process their experiences lies at the heart of Ragamuffin’s work.

Ragamuffin has provided residential retreats, training days and clinical supervision, giving therapeutic space for individuals and teams to reflect, process and learn to manage the impact of their work through the gentle process of Creative Arts Therapy.

“Its so important that we are able to do this  - it our chance to express and journey through the impact of what we are holding with our clients and our organisations, the terrible stories we are hearing and how to care for and protect ourselves and each other” (NGO Director).

Over the next few months Ragamuffin will be conducting some research to explore the development of clinical supervision and support for frontline social workers and counselors in partnership with Save The Children.

Ragamuffin is also working closely with Partners for Social Justice and Naropa University to co-create our first Arts Therapy Conference in January 2018. This will be a rich educational opportunity for National and International, Social Workers, Therapist's and educators as we will together learn and explore innovative and cutting edge thinking and training on staff care and organizational wellbing. It will be a vital and nourishing experience for the psychosocial community in Cambodia and aims to recognise and celebrate the importance and extent of their investment and devotion into the lives of those who suffer in Cambodia.

Thank you so much for continuing to support this important and well-needed work in Cambodia. Your ongoing support is essential in providing core services for children and young people in crisis and strengthening the staff teams that support them.

[1] Nelson, T.S. (2014). Vicarious Trauma: Bearing Witness To Another’s Trauma, http://www.azcadv.org/azcadv2014wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/VICARIOUS-TRAUMA.pdf