Through this department the PCC provides clinical services carried out by clinical psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and counselors. Clinical interventions follow internationally recognized and approved protocols. The role of clinical supervisors is crucial in order to guarantee that those protocols are followed and the quality of the interventions is up to necessary standards.  Through this department, the PCC offers the following six programs in its clinics and centers throughout the West Bank.

Unlike other development projects that require a large investment in equipment, programs need a relatively significant number of staff since the entire infrastructure and main equipment is already in place. When working on mental health issues, the key element is the quality and quantity of staff available. Quality services imply that centers are adequately staffed and the professionals do not have an overload of clients and thus, they are able to spend the necessary time with the people.  Also, due to the mobility restrictions in the West Bank, it is not realistic to share staff between the centers and it is required that each center has professionals who can dedicate their time to the people in need. At present, 20 counselors and therapists PCC staff receive individual and group supervision on a monthly basis. 

Individual Therapy:

The Individual Therapy Program works with children, youth and adults suffering from psychological, social, learning disorders. Individuals accessing this service suffer from various psychological symptoms such as aggressive behavior, depressive mood disorder, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, sexual problems, academic dysfunction that have psychological etiology.  These individuals access PCC facilities (mostly) once a week for a one-hour session.  Based on the problem, some may require short-term interventions while others may require long-term interventions. This service also includes family and couples therapy.

Group Therapy:

The Group Therapy Program intends to create a space for children, adolescents and adults to share and analyze their experiences and feelings and find ways to overcome the negative affects effecting their daily lives and activities.  Each group is formed according to the problem and meets (mostly) once a week and is comprised of 6 to 15 individuals depending on the group goal.  There are four kinds of groups that we work with through this program:

1. Therapeutic groups: working with individuals who suffer from common problems that need intense introspection and effective intervention. These are long term groups.  For example children that are or have been physically and sexually abused.

2. Supportive groups: These groups target individuals who are dealing with stress due to familial or work problems. For example, families of individuals with Thalasemia, community health workers that are exposed to difficult situations and women survivors of domestic violence.

3. Consolation groups: Through these groups, the PCC works with paraprofessionals or families of mentally or psychologically disturbed children or adults. For example, caregivers of abused children in orphanages, shelters or child protection centers, and mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

4. Awareness raising groups: These groups target the general population in order to raise their awareness concerning mental health issues.

Testing and Diagnosis:

The Testing and Diagnosis Program is administered by trained professionals.  Through this program, psychological tests are used as an assessment tool for psychologists to facilitate their jobs.  The number of tests is widespread in the mental health field, such as Intelligence Test (IQ), projective tests, and neuropsychological tests. In administering these tests, PCC clinicians are provided with relevant information regarding the client which can reveal inner conflicts such as symptoms of psychosis that cannot be discovered through therapy. At the PCC clinics and centers, staff administer the following tests:  Drawing Test, Bender Test, Thematic Apperception (T.A.T) and Child Apperception (C.A.T) Teats, Rorscharch Test, and WPPSI, WISC-R and WAIS (I.Q) Tests. This service is applicable to PCC beneficiaries and used only to respond to specific clinical questions required by PCC clinicians.

Psychiatric Care Service

PCC provides psychiatric treatment for individuals who need this service. The psychiatrist at the Center is in direct contact with psychotherapists who provide follow-up therapeutic services for individuals referred by the psychiatrist. This close coordination between the psychiatrist and psychotherapists ensures better service for our beneficiaries.

Rehabilitation Program (Day Care Center) for Chronically Psychiatric Patients

The Rehabilitation Program works with patients suffering from chronic psychiatric disorders and need special care to assimilate into the community. This is a pilot project that began in 2006, at which time there are no such centers available in the West Bank.

The Day Care Center includes individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, and manic depressive patients and those with severe borderline personality. Individuals meet in group settings three times a week for an interval of five hours a day. This project works with these individuals on various levels and includes activities aimed at enhancing life skills such as gardening and preparing food.  Various techniques are used such as expressive arts therapies (painting, clay, drawing, etc…). This program also works with the immediate surrounding environment of the individual (parents and families). The staff of this program includes psychiatrist, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and occupational therapist.

Therapeutic Learning Program:

The Therapeutic Learning Program was initiated in Jerusalem in 2006 and aims to develop a therapeutic intervention model. This program targets children between the ages of 6 - 11 who suffer from Neuro-development problems and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, epilepsy, dysgraphia and memory problems. These children are chosen in view of the lack of professional services and at the same time the stigma and insensitivity or naivety regarding their problems. These children are treated in small group through play therapy that is linked to their school demands and curriculum.

Clinical Department programs and Services are provided in the following PCC locations on a long-term basis:

1.       Beit Hanina, Jerusalem 

2.       Ramallah 

3.       Nablus

4.       Jenin

5.       Azoun, Qalqilya

Main Psychotherapy Approaches Applied:

1.        Dynamic approach

2.       Expressive (art therapy approach)

3.       Humanistic approach

4.       Cognitive behaviorist approach

5.       Psychological counseling (all approaches)

6.       Eclectic approach

Types of Therapy Utilized:

1.        Individual psychotherapy (one to one)

2.       Family and Couple psychotherapy

3.       Play therapy (with children)

4.       Art therapy (individuals, couples and family)

In 2006, the individual psychotherapy program and the clinical department in cooperation the Capacity Building Department trained 9 new graduated (BA psychology students) on individual psychotherapy and counseling.