In this Episode Brandi and James talk with Lisa Green, Executive Director of Olive Tree Counseling Center. Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and more than 15 years of counseling experience. She has also lived outside her passport country for more than a decade, bringing both professional and personal cross-cultural experience to the conversation.
The episode explores unexpected departures and evacuations for cross-cultural workers and the impact these experiences can have on individuals and families. Lisa discusses the different events that can lead to a sudden departure and the significant losses that often follow—including the loss of home and place, friendships and community, work and ministry roles, and a sense of stability. The conversation also addresses the frustration and tension that can develop between cross-cultural workers and their organizations during a crisis.
Using Karen Carr’s crisis framework, the conversation examines three phases: pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis. Lisa discusses what workers may experience during each phase and how sending organizations and member-care providers can prepare for and respond well when unexpected departures occur.
This episode provides practical insight for cross-cultural workers, missions leaders, member-care providers, and organizations seeking to care well for people through crisis, loss, and unexpected transition. Stay tuned for an episode in a few months on debriefing.
Resources
- Visit the Olive Tree’s Website to find out more or to reach out to Lisa. Email at info@olivetreecounseling.org
- One Olive Tree resource mentioned in the episode is Navigating Transitions webinars, including an episode on navigating unplanned transitions:
- Information for organizations on Psychological First Aid: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548205
Meet Lisa!
Guide for Cross-Cultural Workers 