In agreement with the National Conference of Major Superiors of Cameroon, the Association Foi et Justice organised a training session for religious and lay people from the ecclesiastical province of Garoua with a view to strengthening their capacities in psychosocial counselling.
From 16 to 18 January 2025, 42 religious and lay people met at the Procure des Missions-OMI guest house to discuss this issue. During two days of work, teaching and practical workshops, those present heard two presentations: the preliminaries on psychological trauma by Madame Julienne AWOUMA and the fundamentals of the helping relationship by Sister Marie-Madeleine TCHEUFANG.
In her speech, Ms Julienne (professional psychologist and international trainer of trainers and professionals in the field of drug addiction), gave us the tools we need to identify and understand in order to intervene effectively with people who have experienced psychological trauma. By describing the different situations and realities of these people – which more or less mirrored the realities of our missions – she elicited a number of reactions, exchanges and questions. At the end of this first talk, although nothing is completely certain, we can say with satisfaction that we have a better understanding of the psychological and physiological mechanisms of trauma. With some reservations, by ourselves or by experts in the field, we can now distinguish between a situation of distress and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus accompany the victim of trauma in a healing process.
Sister Marie-Madeleine, from the congregation of the Petites Servantes du Coeur de Jésus, (Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Practitioner in Transactional Analysis, Enneagram, EMDR and Pain) helped us understand the Fundamentals of the helping relationship. From this second intervention, we retained several key techniques for good support. In order to respond effectively to what is asked of us, we were advised to find people to refer to when there is: a lack of appeasement, a lack of time, difficulty in managing transference and counter-transference and an inability to meet needs.
After this session, we understand that dealing with psychological trauma is a very delicate area in our constantly changing world.
Sister Vedette NDAOKAÏ, Marza-Ngaoundéré novitiate community. Published on 29 January 2025
Photo.
1. During the teachings
2. The trainers and Father Simon, national coordinator of Faith and Justice
3. End of course certificates.
