Our Child Protection Clinic provides counselling services to children aged 5-17 years, affected by violence and crime. The interventions target specific schools in communities experiencing high levels of violence. We sign a service level agreement with schools to do a six-session group work to children exposed to violence. Individual counselling is offered to children who need individual support by a registered social worker. Our services are mostly school based in Delft, Bonteheuwel, Nyanga, Wallacedene, Bloekombos and Manenberg.
The Trauma Centre’s Community based clinics deliver therapeutic counselling services for adult clients in Delft, Manenberg, Kraaifontein, Belhar, Bishop Lavis, Langa and Bonteheuwel. Targeted communities receive access to trauma counselling through partnerships with community-based organisations. These organisations provide The Trauma Centre’s counsellors with a conducive space for trauma counselling and also refer clients for these services. The clinics operate from selected police stations and community organisations.
The Trauma Centre has developed a five day Trauma Support Work course over the years and currently we train all Victim Friendly Room Volunteers at SAPS police stations in the Western Cape.
Trauma Bereavement Handbook
The Trauma Centre developed a culturally specific handbook on bereavement for the South African context with theories on trauma counselling and treatment plans aimed at different age groups. We are currently in the process of registering course for CPD points at the South AFrican Council for Social Services Professionals.
Research
The Trauma Centre is a learning organisation. We are keen to collaborate with academic institutions in order to increase our knowledge and also to contribute to indigenous knowledge in the field of trauma in the South African context.
The Trauma Centre has a small team of registered counsellors who deliver counselling services to employees at companies, wellness days and tailor-made workshops around psycho-social issues.
The Trauma Centre’s Violence Prevention Services includes community theatre, advocacy on a community, provincial and national scale. Furthermore we also see the need to form partnerships with food security and economic development initiatives. Our clients often stay in unacceptable circumstances due to not having the financial means to leave. Engaging with other NGOs, business and government institutions is key for us in order to make a difference.
