
Jaime Abad
My working background is diverse and I have found my purpose in providing services and support to others.
I do this in different ways working for:
– humanitarian organizations
– NGOs supporting communities and individuals at risk
– the United Nations
– private counselling.
I am a New Zealand-trained and experienced psychologist. I received my Master’s degree in 2009, with most of my training focused in the Clinical field and I am registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB). My qualifications have been recognised by the ‘Commission des professions de la psychologie (PsyCo)‘ in Switzerland.
I have worked through inpatient and outpatient services, with clients of all ages, from different cultural backgrounds, and affected by diverse issues and difficulties.
I have also had the opportunity to live and work in various countries and roles. I have lived in the USA, Colombia, Hungary, Armenia, Fiji and France. Currently, I live in Geneva, Switzerland.
The models of therapy that I use more frequently in my practice have been:
– behavioral, cognitive-behavioral
-systemic-family and couples therapy
-positive behavior support
– and interpersonal therapy.
I am also trained and experienced in other forms of intervention such as:
– dialectic behavioral therapy
– solution-focused therapy
-suicide and self-harm prevention and intervention
– and trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for children and others.
I work with young and adult clients, with and without cognitive delays (I have considerable experience supporting clients with Autism), and with diverse views of life and the world.
I can provide support to clients on a one-to-one basis or in the form of group sessions. I can also conduct sessions with members of a family who may all require support.
I speak English and Spanish fluently, and intermediate French.
At the personal level, I have moved countries and homes several times in my life, by myself and with family. I have a good understanding of how long it may take to adapt to new living contexts and environments. I can offer help in this regard as well if that is what the client/s feel they need.
In my free time, I like to travel and listen to music, especially live shows.
Being in the outdoors is where I clear my mind. I love to spend time in the mountains, at the beach or a lake. I believe that nature and fresh air have a very significant positive impact on how we feel about ourselves and life.
Education
2013 – Post Graduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology
2009 – Master Psychology
2007 – Post Graduate Diploma in Arts Psychology
2005 – Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
January 2009-December 2010 – Clinical Psychology training (Completed first two years of a three-year programme)
Publications
My Master’s thesis Stressors and psychological wellbeing in local humanitarian workers in Colombia was published in 2011 by the Journal of Managerial Psychology.
It examines the correlations of stressors, appraisal, and coping resources with measures of psychological wellbeing in local humanitarian workers, supporting communities of internally displaced populations (IDPs), in the slums of one of the main cities in Colombia, Medellin.
Certifications
Over the last 4 years, I have furthered my education in Public Health through courses in the following topics:
- Mental Health in Complex Emergencies – MHPSS (2021)
- Children’s Human Rights (2019)
- Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (2019)
- Gender-Based Violence (2019)
- Psychological First Aid (2018)
- Epidemiology (2018)
- Major Depression in the Population from a Public Health Perspective (2018)
Continuing Education
Mental Health in Complex Emergencies (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. MHPSS) Fordham University |
Prevention of Harassment and Abuse UNHCR |
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse UNHCR |
National Youth Training: Eating Disorders Eating Disorders NZ |
Incident Management System World Health Organization |
Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers John Hopkins University |
Children’s Human Right – An Interdisciplinary Introduction University of Geneva |
Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies Emory University |
Psychological First Aid John Hopkins University |
Trauma and What It Means to be Human – Conference Webster University, Geneva, Switzerland |
Epidemiology: The basic science of Public Health The University of North Carolina |
Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach John Hopkins University |
Explore’s Sexual Knowledge Examination (ESKE) (in people with ID) Explore Specialist Advice |
Suicide Risk Assessment (in people with intellectual disabilities) Explore Specialist Advice |
Autism: Advanced Specialist Training Altogether Autism New Zealand |
Concerning Sexual Behaviour (in people with intellectual disabilities) Explore Specialist Advice |
Supervision: Building Strengths, Developing competencies Compass seminars |
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Explore Specialist Advice |
Positive Behaviour Support Training Explore Specialist Advice |
Safe Talk: Suicide Alertness Youth Horizons |
Skills Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy: The Essentials Dialectical Behavior Therapy New Zealand (DBTNZ) |
Fundación Carla Cristina, Medellin, Colombia Prevention of, and intervention on, behavioral and conduct problems in educational facilities and the re-education of young offenders in the city of Medellin. |
NZQA Certificate in Refugee Resettlement Support Refugee and Migrant Service |