“I am experiencing a level of peace which, prior to your help, I feared would never be restored.”
Expert psychological support
For 40 years we’ve supported agencies, employers, individuals and families at every stage of an international deployment. We understand and recognise the challenges facing those working in compassion-driven roles, and can provide support at all stages of a role, mission or assignment.
Stress. Burnout. Trauma. OCD.
HealthLink360’s psychological services offer confidential and compassionate care to support your team’s healing and growth. Our services are tailored towards agencies, employers and the workers they care for, both internationally, and in the UK, both in-person, and online.
What 360-degree healthcare means to us.
“It was always assuring to come here, to see a doctor and a counsellor, to know someone cares and has time to listen”
SERVICES MENU
PRE-EMPLOYMENT OR PRE-DEPLOYMENT SERVICES
We provide support even before someone starts a new assignment or role. Whether it's a call to ministry, a short-term international trip, volunteer placement, long-term assignment, or high-risk deployment, our assessments can help agencies/employers and individuals identify wellbeing related considerations.
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Who is it suitable for: Individuals preparing to start a new short term role, volunteer position or travel.
How it works: The individual is sent a link to complete an online resilience questionnaire. This is reviewed by a member of our psychological services team and used as the basis for a 30-minute phone or video call to follow-up relevant psychological or resilience issues.
• We’ll provide a brief report that highlights resilience risk factors and supportive or protective measures, and any further recommendations for wellbeing. As well as including helpful guidance, from our awareness of the deployment context, and what the individual has told us, the report makes a recommendation about fitness to proceed.
• Where issues (e.g. pre-existing issues) are identified, a more detailed wellbeing assessment and report can be provided (at additional charge).
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Who is it suitable for: For individuals preparing to undertake a new role, volunteer position or travel assignment of less than 12 months.
How it works: The wellbeing assessment provides a tailored evaluation of psychological suitability to work abroad when a full assessment is not necessary (e.g. for a gap year or short-term volunteer, or as a next step up from a Resilience Assessment). It also examines what measures would need to be put in place for an individual to thrive in their role/assignment.
• The interview lasts up to 45 minutes.
Thinking 360 degrees? Our Wellbeing Assessments can be provided in combination with our Health Screenings (see also our Medical Services).
• Two options are available: for young adults (aged 18-30 years) or adults (aged over 30 years).
• A form-based health screening questionnaire is used to gather valuable insight and a snapshot view of an individual’s health. The questions cover key areas of physical health and mental wellbeing.
• Once an individual has completed the form, it is shared with a member of our medical team for assessment.
• If further information is required about a medical condition, health issue, or medication, we’ll arrange a follow-up phone call with one of our doctors.
• A wellbeing assessment can be carried out by one of our psychological team practitioners.
• We prepare a report for the individual and organisation, giving a recommendation on fitness for placement, along with any support measures recommended.
• If follow-up calls and additional assessments are recommended, additional charges will apply to these.
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Who is it suitable for: For individuals considering or preparing for a long-term role/mission overseas.
How it works: This wide-ranging psychological evaluation assesses an individual’s suitability for a long-term role/mission overseas. The candidate completes a detailed questionnaire and then meets with our clinician for an in depth (approximately 60-90minutes) face-to-face discussion, normally by video-conference. Areas assessed include psychological resilience, self-awareness, relationships, mental health, and more.
• A written report is produced for the individual and agency and, where applicable, includes recommendations for the individual’s continued wellbeing overseas, and recommendations to the agency about measures to put in place for the individual to thrive.
Thinking 360? You might want to combine a Psychological Assessment with an in-person Pre-Deployment Medical for Long-Term Overseas Workers (see details under our Medical Services page). Our medicals are provided as face to face appointments at our travel clinic just outside Edinburgh, UK.
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Who is it suitable for: This is an in-depth psychological evaluation that assesses a candidate’s suitability for work in Christian ministry.
How it works: The candidate completes a detailed questionnaire and then meets with our clinician for an in-depth face-to-face discussion, either in-person or by video-conference. Normally lasting approximately 90minutes, areas assessed include psychological resilience, self-awareness, relationships, mental health, and more.
• A written report is produced for both the church/sending agency and the candidate and, where applicable, includes recommendations for the individual’s continued wellbeing as they serve.
DURING DEPLOYMENT OR DURING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Sometimes volunteers and workers require mental health support in the middle of a project. Some of our services are designed for those coming home for a break before returning again, but we are also highly experienced in arranging help remotely; wherever in the world people might be based. Members of UK-based or head office teams may also benefit from our services.
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Who is it suitable for:Our counselling service offers a safe and confidential space for individuals – whether they’re based internationally or in the UK - to work through issues that they are feeling unsettled, or held back by.
How it works: Counselling is a talking therapy and is a non-judgemental relationship which provides time to focus on what an individual feels is important. The emphasis is on helping a person to find their own solutions rather than being told what they should do. Sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes and following an initial session, individuals may find that a series of additional sessions are helpful.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COUNSELLING SERVICES, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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Who is it suitable for: Those struggling with problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, panic attacks, phobias, burnout, anger, addictions, and more.
How it works: As a talking therapy, psychological therapy assesses and treats a wide range of mental, emotional and behavioural difficulties. We most commonly use cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). As with counselling, our sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes and following an initial session, individuals may find that a series of additional sessions are helpful.
For more information about talking therapies, see: healthlink360.org/counselling-services
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Who is it suitable for: This service is most suitable for those deployed overseas for a longer length of time and who are part way through their deployment.
How it works: This service is part Psychological Assessment and part Personal Review. Designed to help an individual and their agency/employer to gauge how a person is doing, the session includes benefits associated with personal review as well as identifying recommendations for the future. An assessment includes a face to face discussion lasting approximately 60 minutes (normally via video conference) with a member of our psychological services team.
• A report is produced for the individual and agency and advises what help and support a person might need in order to thrive.
Thinking 360? A Mid-Term Psychological Assessment can be provided in combination with our in-person Mid-Deployment Medical, where someone is able to attend an in-person medical appointment at our travel clinic (see also our Medical Services).
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Who is it suitable for:This service is most suitable for those deployed in humanitarian, mission or ministry contexts or those who have recently returned.
How it works: Our review provides an unhurried, confidential time with an experienced therapist where an individual can reflect on their overseas experience, including work, relationships, and issues faced. It is both structured and client-focused and aims to strengthen psychological wellbeing.
• Normally, no report is sent to the agency or employer unless it is specifically requested by the individual client.
• Even quite young children (approximately eight and above) can enjoy and benefit from their own talk-time. This is an opportunity for them to reflect in a safe, understanding and comfortable environment. Mum or Dad can be present if they wish. Sessions last for approximately 90 minutes, or 45 minutes for children.
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Who is it suitable for: For individuals who have had a tough time overseas or in ministry involving conflict, strained relationships or other significant difficulties.
How it works: Taking a similar approach to a standard personal review, a series of appointments may be concentrated over two to four days. They provide an opportunity to evaluate the impact of the experiences, assess coping strategies, and make recommendations for future psychological wellbeing. The initial session can last up to 90 minutes whilst subsequent sessions may last up to one hour each.
• Normally, no report is sent to the agency or employer unless it is specifically requested by the individual client.
POST-EMPLOYMENT/DEPLOYMENT SERVICES
Overseas deployments can be great, but they can also lead to burnout, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, difficulties adjusting back to the home culture, and a range of other issues. For 40 years our team have been supporting individuals and families returning home from overseas assignments as they make the transition back to life in the UK, sometimes whilst they are still processing tough or life-changing experiences. Our reviews are also adaptable to those based in the UK working in similar compassionate and people-centred roles.
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Who is it suitable for: Individuals who are returning from a long term overseas deployment.
How it works: The Post-Deployment Psychological Review is an opportunity to reflect on individual experiences and discuss what might be needed to promote recovery. The review discussion lasts approximately one hour and takes place as a face-to-face discussion, normally via video-conference. As well as providing many of the benefits of a Personal Review, the Psychological Review provides input to both the individual and the agency about how the individual is doing and recommendations for recovery.
• A report is prepared which includes a brief summary of discussion and recommendations for the future.
• A report may include a statement about fitness to continue as well as advising what help and support the individual may need, whatever the conclusion.
• The report is shared with the agency with the client's consent.
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Many of our psychological services can help an individual on their return from an overseas posting. Family members may also benefit from support. Contact us for information about how these services can be tailored to a post-deployment context:
• Personal Reviews (Standard, Extended, Child)
• Psychological Assessment
• Counselling
• Psychological Therapy
ASSESSMENT / COUNSELLING PACKAGES
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Who is it suitable for: This scheme can be offered to all members of your staff team, whether they live and work internationally or are based in their home location.
How it works: Whatever a person’s age, background or role in life, they may occasionally experience times where they struggle with their emotions, mental health and wellbeing. Sometimes, concerns may be linked to work stress or organisational issues, but often concerns can arise from other aspects of life. When concerns become too much, an individual may benefit from counselling support.
Research shows that people often do not feel supported in discussing their mental health at work. Our employee wellbeing assistance service can change that by providing an option that you can offer to your staff team without need for pre-approval or employer referral. The scheme allows member of your team to directly contact HealthLink360 to access up to six sessions of counselling support.
See here or contact us for more information about how the scheme might work in your context.
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If you are likely to access our services more regularly, on a repeat pattern or for larger groups of individuals, you may wish to discuss a service agreement which sets out the service levels and allows you to manage your resources by spreading the cost of delivering an agreed level of service across the course of the year.
Contact us to discuss your needs in more detail, and to explore whether a service agreement might work well for you.
Fees & Packages
Get in touch to discuss packages tailored to your specific needs:
Combined health screening and wellbeing assessment
· Pre-deployment medicals, vaccinations and psychological assessment
For more info, or to discuss fees, please contact admin@healthlink360.org or call: 0131 653 6767
“ A tone was set for the meeting that created a safe, confidential and independent place to reflect aloud. I felt I was being listened to.”