What do PWPs do?
In addition to delivering targeted, diagnosis-specific interventions, PWPs also work within a trans-diagnostic approach. This means they focus on identifying problem areas and offering practical coping tools, regardless of formal psychiatric diagnoses.
PWPs provide structured support for core mental health challenges and promote community integration—individually or in group settings—using a range of evidence-based psychological approaches, such as:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Motivational Approach
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COM-B Model
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Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
The interventions aim to give service users tools to improve their resiliency and mental wellbeing as well as increase their ability to cope effectively with daily life challenges.
Job Description – PWP-ISRAEL
PWP within the Stepped Care Model: Personalized Support for Resiliency and Mental Health
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) are graduates with a bachelor’s degree in health or welfare-related fields who undergo training as part of their job. Their responsibilities include conducting initial assessments and facilitating focused interventions tailored to the needs of service users dealing with mild to moderate mental health challenges.
The role of the PWP is integrated into the Stepped Care model, aimed at providing a personalized mental health response according to the individual’s level of need. This approach ensures effective, focused, and sensitive care for every person.
A Human-Focused Innovation: An Accessible, Impactful Mental Health Role
Integrating PWPs into Israel’s mental health system is crucial for expanding access to mental health services. PWPs operate in community settings, manage initial contacts, and help reducing the waiting lists by conducting triage assessments and facilitating early intervention.
They guide structured, focused interventions, empowering service users to manage mental health challenges and/or rehabilitation processes, improve their quality of life, and improve personal regulation and internal locus of control.
Their presence in mental health organizations alleviates pressure on public health services and helps close the gap between immediate mental health needs and the availability of specialized care.
Who Do PWPs Support?
PWPs provide tailored support for individuals experiencing common, mild-to-moderate mental health challenges, such as:
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Low self-esteem
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Grief and loss
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Behavioral activation needs
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Exposure to existential threats (e.g., prolonged security threats)
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Anxiety and chronic worry
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Low mood
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Psychological stress (including physical symptoms of anxiety)
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Life transitions and crises
Core Responsibilities
PWPs are involved in a range of tasks that combine effective, minimally invasive interventions within the public mental health system:
1. Initial Assessment (Triage)
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Conduct first-line assessments for individuals seeking mental health support.
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Identify problem types and unique needs.
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Collaborate with senior licensed mental health professionals to determine the most suitable care path.
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In some cases, PWPs continue providing direct care. In others, clients are referred for full intake by a senior licensed mental health professional.
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PWPs develop personalized intervention plans with service users.
2. Focused Interventions on Core Issues
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Deliver structured interventions based on up-to-date psychological approaches, including CBT, IPT, mindfulness, self-compassion, and motivational methods.
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Work individually or in group settings, tailoring methods to client needs.
Key Techniques:
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Guided self-help: Providing tools for individuals to make positive changes with professional support.
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Behavioral activation: Encouraging engagement in positive daily activities to improve mood.
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Graded exposure: Helping clients gradually face feared situations to build confidence.
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Support through crises and life transitions: Setting realistic goals, building coping strategies, and enhancing self-help skills and self confidence.
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Progress monitoring: Ongoing evaluation using standard tools to track and adjust support.
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Healthy lifestyle and community engagement: Encouraging good nutrition, sleep hygiene, physical activity, and participation in community and vocational activities.
Key Skills and Methods
PWPs make extensive use of interpersonal skills such as:
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Mindfulness
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Self-compassion
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Emotional regulation
These help cultivate essential emotional and behavioral skills in service users.
By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills and continuous supervision, PWPs play a vital role in expanding community-based mental health care. Their contribution helps bridge the gap between urgent mental health needs and the specialized treatment and rehabilitation provided by experts—creating a healthier, more resilient society.
באמצעות שילוב של ידע מקצועי, גישות טיפוליות עדכניות ומעקב רציף, PWPs תורמים.ות לשיפור הנגישות והאיכות של שירותי בריאות הנפש הציבוריים, ומסייעים.ות למטופלים.ות לשוב למסלול חיים בריא ומאוזן.
עוטף לב׳ - סיוע נפשי ישראלי, מבית החמ״ל האזרחי הוא מערך שהוקם בעקבות אירועי ה-7 באוקטובר על מנת לסייע בתחומי בריאות הנפש לכלל תושבי ישראל.
אנחנו מתמחים בסיוע לכל תושבי הארץ, כולל סיוע במציאת מענים ספציפיים לאותם עשרות אלפי התושבים שנאלצו להתפנות מבתיהם ושוהים בריכוזי מפונים או במסגרות דיור אחרות (מפונים ומתפנים).