What Do PSR Workers Actually Do? A Closer Look at Support for Children and Families

If you’re a parent looking for meaningful support for your child, you’ve probably come across a range of mental health services. One that often gets overlooked—but can be life-changing—is Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR). So what exactly do PSR workers do, and how do they help not just the child, but the whole family? Let’s break it down.

PSR: More Than Just a Conversation

Unlike traditional therapy, PSR focuses on building skills that children and teens can use in everyday life. It’s about action, consistency, and real-world application. PSR workers (sometimes called "skills coaches" or "rehabilitation specialists") meet one-on-one with youth in environments where they live, learn, and socialize—like their home, school, or community.

What PSR Workers Do With Children

Each child’s plan is personalized, but here are some of the common things PSR workers help with:

Emotional Regulation: Teaching kids how to recognize, name, and manage emotions like anger, anxiety, or frustration.

Social Skills: Practicing appropriate communication, conflict resolution, making and keeping friends, and navigating group dynamics.

Daily Living Skills: Helping youth build routines, stay organized, manage time, and develop independence with tasks like hygiene, homework, or chores.

Problem Solving & Decision-Making: Guiding kids through real-life choices to promote healthy thinking patterns and reduce impulsive behaviors.

Coping Strategies: Offering tools to handle stress, anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional dysregulation in constructive ways.

Positive Reinforcement: Celebrating growth, effort, and progress to build confidence and motivation.

These aren’t just abstract skills—they’re practiced through games, role play, activities, outings, and guided real-life experiences that feel natural and engaging for kids.

How PSR Workers Support Families

PSR isn’t a drop-off service—it’s a collaborative effort between the provider and the family. Here’s how we involve parents and caregivers:

Parent Coaching & Education: We teach families how to reinforce the same skills at home and how to respond to behaviors in ways that promote growth, not just correction.

Consistent Communication: PSR workers regularly check in with parents to share progress, offer insights, and adjust goals as needed.

Bridging Gaps Between Services: PSR teams often coordinate with schools, therapists, and caseworkers to create consistency across environments.

Strengthening the Home Environment: We work with families to establish routines, communication strategies, and supports that reduce chaos and increase harmony at home.

Why This Approach Works

When kids are supported both individually and within the family unit, real change happens. PSR is about helping youth not just cope—but grow. And when parents are equipped to reinforce that growth, it lasts.

The Rootway Project’s Approach

At The Rootway Project, we’re committed to empowering both children and families. Our PSR providers don’t just show up—they build relationships, create safe spaces, and walk alongside families through every step of the journey. Together, we help young people grow the roots they need to thrive—at home, in school, and beyond.