Psychological Counseling for 20 Nepali Children

Psychological counseling in Nepal is in its infancy, although many children suffer from emotional trauma. NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center is a pioneer in psychological therapy for disadvantaged children in Nepal. Ankur also offers a wide range of training for people who work with youth.

 Since the Ankur Counseling Center began in 2006, it has provided free psychological therapy to 2213 underprivileged children. In 2011-2012, 604 people benefited from therapy at the Center in Kathmandu, and 783 girls who were rescued from bonded servitude received peer counseling in Western Nepal. Ankur also held 28 training sessions and workshops through the year for 415 participants. Altogether, the program brought therapy, counseling, and training to1802 people in 2011-2012.

NYF’s Solution

Emotional health is largely neglected in Nepal and psychology is only beginning to gain acceptance. However, many people, especially disabled children, orphans, and homeless youth, suffer from oppression and discrimination.

To meet this need, the Nepal Youth Foundation established the Ankur Counseling Center in 2006. Ankur’s counselors, who have Masters degrees in clinical psychology, provide psychosocial therapy to hundreds of underprivileged children every year. This counseling is enabling children who have endured unimaginable hardships at very young ages to fulfill their potential.

In addition to individual counseling, Ankur’s therapists run group therapy sessions and workshops for youth. These are particularly beneficial to the boys and girls who live at J and K House, NYF’s children’s homes, many of whom face similar emotional and behavioral challenges. The therapy sessions teach children about interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and leadership, and the workshops cover topics such as stress management and drug abuse.

Ankur is the first center in Nepal to use Sand Play Therapy, a form of psychological therapy which transcends language and is therefore especially suitable to the needs of children. Ankur’s counselors now train other psychologists to use sand play therapy.  

The Center complements its psychosocial counseling with a wide range of trainings and workshops for hundreds of people every year. The participants, who come from throughout Nepal to attend the trainings, include professionals and students in the field of psychology, child care workers, teachers, and parents, as well as children. Ankur also provides trainings for child care professionals, such as are therapists, teachers, and staff of orphanages.  Some of the topics are Peer Counseling, Parenting skills, Creative Movement Therapy, Positive Discipline, and Motivational Communication Skills.

Links:

• Visit the Nepal Youth Foundation's website
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