Casework and counselling
The majority of our clients are asylum seekers or refugees. They need a combination of practical and psychological support to deal with the their past trauma and with an asylum system that often places obstacles in the way of their efforts to come to terms with their past and their state of exile.
New clients are referred to one of two multi-disciplinary Assessment and Treatment Teams where caseworker-counsellors, doctors, psychotherapists and a welfare officer conduct an initial assessment to ensure the treatment offered is holistic and comprehensive.
Caseworker-counsellors provide a culturally sensitive service that considers a client's practical, medical and legal requirements. As well as individual counselling for both adults and children, group therapy allows clients to interact in a protected social environment, countering the isolation that can overwhelm their lives.
Group activities include verbal and non-verbal forms of expressions, such as art, music and horticulture. Volunteer based activities offer clients some respite through a befriending scheme, a holiday hosting and writing groups.
A team of psychotherapists concentrates on clients who have a history of psychological disturbance which often pre-dates their experience of detention and torture. This team can work with more unconscious material on a longer term basis, between one and four years.
The psychiatric team offers advice to other clinicians when the client may be suffering with a form of mental illness. Where appropriate they will do their own or joint assessment and if necessary refer to main stream psychiatric services. The psychiatric team also produces psychiatric reports that can be used in support of a client's asylum application.
Psychologists have a range of techniques that can be used when appropriate to offer psychological treatment for clients. This includes Cognitive Behaviour Treatment and relaxation techniques.
A client's progress with the MF is consistently monitored by the Intake Panel to ensure we continue to meet the client's needs.