Developing State Sector Counselling Services in Sri Lanka: A Comparative Report of the Review Studies Conducted in 2013 and 2017 with the Counsellors of the Ministries of Social Services and of Women and Child Affairs

The year 2005 marked a significant milestone for The Asia Foundation with the integration of a psychosocial approach to its development work, particularly in relation to the Reducing the Effects and Incidences of Trauma project and the Victims of Trauma Treatment Program. The Asia Foundation has found that psychosocial approaches to healing and improving well-being are effective in strengthening existing coping mechanisms that enable individuals, families, and communities to rebuild their lives.

In its collaboration with state ministries, The Asia Foundation focused on the development of state counseling services and training and equipping counselors and practitioners, notably through the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, the introduction of a peer support group model for professional support and the development of clinical tools to assess the progress of clients. This review focuses on exploring the impact of CPD projects on service provision and provides recommendations for new training areas and improving ongoing training programs. It also outlines the impact of peer support practice on service provision and examines possible avenues for improvement within the context of postwar reconciliation. The publication also includes a systematic literature review on postwar mental health and psychosocial support service problems in the country and concludes with a summary of recommendations for state counseling and psychosocial support services.