This paper describes the training of' psychosocial counsellors as conducted by the Centre for Victims of Torture, Nepal. Both the proceedings of the training and the content are described. For clarity purposes a division is made between that part of the training in which skills are taught that can be used with more frequently encountered problems and that part of the training that deals with problems requiring a more specialised approach, such as HIV AIDS.

Keywords: problem-solving therapy, counselling training, HIV AIDS counselling, holistic care.

The psychosocial field in Sri Lanka suffers from a lack of consensus about what precisely constitutes a psychosocial intervention, also at a global level,. By using a number ofavailable frameworks and examples of practice in Sri Lanka, the author attempts to demonstrate how it is possible to include the wide range of existing interventions under the ‘umbrella,’ category psychosocial.

This article is about the learning needs of starting counsellors in areas of armed conflict. The curricula for the training of counsellors usually are based on ideas regarding which knowledge, skills and attitudes are required for effective counselling. The curricula do not always take the personal needs and backgrounds of the participants into account. Counselling trainingin areas of armed conflict can only be effective if the trainer assesses these personal backgrounds and needs and adapts his training approach accordingly.

The ethnic war in Sri Lanka has brought psychosocial problems for individuals and families. In addition, it has had a devastating effect on Sri Lankan society; we can speak of a collective trauma. It has caused regression of all development, destroying social capital, structures and institutions. It has also resultedin changes, for the worse, offundamental social processes like socialization, social norms and social networks.