With the question at heart – how do we take care of those who are taking care of others? – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology travelled to South Africa to collaborate with Hotel Hope Ministries in hosting a free workshop for frontline caregivers and staff working in high-stress, low-resource environments.

Dr Roblyn Lewter, a core faculty member in the International Psychology department and field experience lead for the PhD students, explained the purpose of the event: to equip caregivers with trauma-informed care practices not only for the individuals they serve, but for the organisations they work within. The workshop welcomed representatives from about 20 organisations, each sending three delegates.

“Understanding that in a time of uncertainty, where there is so much trauma individuals are dealing with and NGOs are often stretched for resources, how do they continue to provide amazing services and impact and change lives, doing so in a way that is compassionate and focused on addressing trauma at its root,” said Lewter.

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The workshop was led by a cohort of PhD students, all of whom are already practising clinicians in the United States with master’s degrees in their respective fields. Co-facilitator Dr Robyn Wheeler said the students presented on topics designed to help organisations build strong internal cultures – essential for avoiding burnout while navigating limited resources and emotionally heavy work.

Lewter emphasised the depth of expertise the students brought: “So they’re not only presenting as students but as subject matter experts in their fields.” She added that their pursuit of international psychology stems from a desire to be global changemakers.

“International psychology understands that psychology at its purest form is Western-based. But we have an understanding that human beings are cultural beings, and culture dictates who we are. So how do we understand trauma and healing from a cultural perspective?”

This field experience is part of a broader initiative where students travel to different countries to engage with psychology through a cultural lens, aiming to foster global impact.

“Ultimately, we are facilitating a borderless world where we are working across cultures, partnering with organisations, learning from each other, and sharing knowledge,” Lewter said.
Wheeler expressed gratitude for Hotel Hope Ministries’ hospitality.

This marks the second visit to South Africa by the institution this year, following a trip in April. Reflecting on the workshop’s impact, Wheeler said, “People working in organisations that do so much good for the community all have a risk of burnout and also need self-care with limited resources. So I hope they leave knowing there are ways they can address it – it’s not a problem too big to tackle.”

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She added that caregivers often feel they can’t prioritise their well-being while serving others, but the hope is that they leave knowing self-care is both possible and essential.
Oliver Quambusch, CEO and founder of Hotel Hope Ministries, called the collaboration ‘the most wonderful’ between the two organisations.

“We’ve had a relationship over the last 10 years, and they come once a year,” he said. “This is the first time we’ve devised a workshop.” He emphasised the growing importance of trauma-informed care: “I think trauma-informed care is so important and is a relatively new subject – even though it shouldn’t be. It has gained an importance it didn’t have before, and I believe it has the potential to change the lives of many.”

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