The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake provided an opportunity to develop a Chinese psychosocial social work model in post-disaster contexts using constant feedback from service users including school children, their parents and teachers for more than seven years. Through critical reflection based on the practice wisdom acquired during that time, discussion with workers and service user feedback, this paper delineates a model which emphasises a step-by-step approach for social workers and mental health practitioners to promote local participation; culturally relevant ways of being, knowing and coping; self-help; mutual help; inter/transdisciplinary approaches among stakeholders; and ethical behaviour. This model may resonate with post-disaster situations within China and overseas.