Abstract Mental illness is understood differently across cultures, with explanatory models influencing symptom interpretation, help-seeking behaviors, treatment adherence, and recovery outcomes. Across many African societies, mental disorders are frequently attributed to supernatural forces, including witchcraft, ancestral displeasure, curses, spirit possession, and divine punishment. While these beliefs reflect deeply rooted cultural and religious worldviews,...
Abstract Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) represents one of the most pervasive yet underreported violations of children’s rights globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of CSA is compounded by cultural silence, stigma, weak child protection systems, and limited access to trauma-informed mental health services. Beyond its immediate physical and emotional effects, childhood sexual abuse...
Understanding how cultural expectations influence emotional expression, vulnerability, and professional help-seeking among young Nigerian men. Abstract Mental health disorders constitute a growing public health concern globally, yet young men remain among the least likely groups to seek professional psychological support. In Nigeria, traditional constructions of masculinity profoundly influence attitudes toward emotional expression, vulnerability,...
Abstract Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) constitute one of the most significant predictors of long-term psychological dysfunction across the lifespan. In Nigeria, socioeconomic instability, domestic violence, child neglect, poverty, communal conflict, and systemic institutional failures expose millions of children to chronic adversity during critical developmental stages. Despite growing international research on ACEs, African-centered scholarship...
When we think of mental illness, we mostly think of the adult. We think about the juggling of the family coupled with adult stress and in this part of our world, traffic. By doing this most times, we neglect the children or should we say the adolescence in general. The mental health of...
Introduction A male client in his early forties presented with persistent and unfounded suspicions of infidelity toward his spouse. His symptoms included delusional jealousy, emotional volatility and behavioral surveillance. Prior to therapy, he had undergone multiple spiritual interventions, including deliverance sessions, however, his presentation aligned with Othello Syndrome, a psychiatric condition requiring structured...
Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains significantly misunderstood across Sub-Saharan Africa, where cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic frameworks often shape its interpretation. Rather than being recognized as a neurodevelopmental condition, autism is frequently attributed to supernatural causation, moral transgression, or parental failure. These misinterpretations contribute to delayed diagnosis, stigmatization, and inadequate clinical intervention. This...
In Nigeria and many parts of the world, it is not uncommon to hear children who struggle academically being labeled “olodo”—a derogatory term meaning “dull” or “dumb.” While these labels may seem harmless to some, they are deeply damaging to children’s self-esteem, identity, and future. Psychology and education research make one thing clear:...
It is a common saying that “there’s good in everyone.” While it may sound idealistic, psychology provides evidence that this belief is more than just optimism—it reflects deep truths about human nature. The Human Capacity for Good Humanistic psychology, pioneered by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes that people are inherently driven toward...
In many Nigerian homes, mental health is hardly ever talked about, especially when it involves anxiety, which is often misinterpreted as laziness, weakness, or even disobedience rather than being seen as a valid emotional experience. The shame surrounding mental illness, along with deeply ingrained cultural values of resilience, creates an environment where individuals...
Introduction Nigeria’s mental health system is still in its early developmental stages, and within this fragile framework, neurodivergent youth remain one of the most overlooked populations. Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in neurological development, including conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorders, and...
For years, I have explained a truth that many in the counseling and therapeutic world see every day but rarely trace to its root, narcissists don’t just resist therapy, they neurologically can’t process it in the same way others do. The reason is not a simple matter of stubbornness, arrogance, or an unwillingness...
Introduction Nigeria’s mental health system is still in its early developmental stages, and within this fragile framework, neurodivergent youth remain one of the most overlooked populations. Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in neurological development, including conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorders, and...
The Chartered Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (CICN) is far more than an academic institution, it is a catalyst for awakening, healing, and alignment. While it operates as a professional training body for counselors, countless students describe their experience at CICN as a turning point, the place where the pieces of their lives...
Introduction Even in today’s technological world, stigma, misinformation, and silence surrounding mental health are prevalent. Many still find it difficult to ask for assistance or to speak honestly about their challenges, even in light of increased awareness. The lives of those who are dealing with mental health issues are not the only ones...
IntroductionIn many Nigerian communities, stories still abound of elderly women being branded aswitches. These accusations often arise when such women are found wandering aimlessly anight, forgetting the way home, talking to themselves, or engaging in unusual behavior thatconfuses those around them. In several reported cases, these women have been beaten,tortured, banished, or even...
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a type of sexual dysfunction characterized by a persistent or recurrent lack of sexual desire or interest in sexual activity, which causes distress or interpersonal difficulties. HSDD can occur in both men and women and can have various causes, including physical, psychological, or a combination of both....
It is a fact that every human behavior can be explained, an attachment style in relationships isn’t left out. The attachment style of a significant percentage of adults in relationships can be linked to parenting style and upbringing; parents should keep the next generation in mind when raising their children, and teenagers, A...
Adolescents, who use social media the most, have made it a necessary part of their daily lives. The impact of social media on adolescent mental health has drawn a lot of attention as technology develops and connectivity grows. Social media includes concerns including anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and cyberbullying, but it also provides...
The term “addiction” can mean many things to many people. In this article, we define addiction as thus: Addiction is the repeated involvement with a substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and/or valuable. Counselors should not confuse this definition...
Introduction Mental health has become an increasingly important topic of discussion in recent years, with growing recognition of the significant impact it can have on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. One domain where mental health is particularly crucial is the workplace. Employees’ mental well-being can have far-reaching consequences for their job...
Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. While depression can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, it is a highly treatable...
Whether you are under pressure to wake up and show up like everyone is doing around you, or you are asking “God when” because of all the pajamas pictures all over social media or you are feeling left out in the Detty December gigs and paparazzi all over the place, be assured that...
Unconditional positive regard is a term coined by humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers and is an essential component of person-centered therapy. It refers to the therapist’s attitude of complete acceptance, nonjudgment, and support toward the client, regardless of what the client says or does. In therapy, unconditional positive regard creates a safe and nurturing...
One cannot sit on the fence especially when there are vital lessons to be learned from @hildabaci attempt at breaking a world record. As we applaud the brave Hilda, there are a few mental health lessons to be learned from the whole scenario. People say passion doesn’t put food on your table, but...
How does taking thirty minutes out to dance in the conference room sound during lunch break? More and more organizations are taking advantage of the benefits that come with dance therapy to reduce fatigue, stress, and boredom at work. Having the same or similar routine year in and year out can lead to...
Having occasional feelings of anxiety is a normal part of life, but people with anxiety disorders experience frequent and excessive anxiety, fear, terror, and panic in everyday situations. These feelings are unhealthy if they affect your quality of life and prevent you from functioning normally. While most people with anxiety disorders need psychotherapy...
INTRODUCTION Nigeria being the largest African country is the trailblazer in all social, economic, cultural, and other spheres of life for the entire black race, it, therefore, means that whatever affects Nigeria affects the whole of Africa. Elections in Nigeria have always been an affair for the politicians, their political thugs, and the...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the least recognized and reported disorders in Africa and in Nigeria. However, it is common. OCD is a psychological disorder that is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. An obsession is a recurrent or uncomfortable idea, mental image, or impulse that generates anxiety or emotional distress. A compulsion...
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that begins after childbirth, occurring within a year of childbirth. (Lee, D. T., & Chung, T. K. 2007). The sufferer usually experiences symptoms such as moodiness and sadness that persist over time, poor appetite, inability to concentrate, consistent tiredness, and low energy, feeling sleepy during the...
Lawrence Kohlberg an American psychologist was born on October 25, 1927, and died on January 19, 1987, known for his theory on stages of moral development. He began his work on Moral Development as a psychology graduate student at the University of Chicago in 1958, he expanded the theory of Jean Piaget (1932)....
Mental health is an integral part of health. Realizing this has made various bodies and organizations around the world take steps and measures to promote the mental health of individuals within their jurisdiction. However, within the context of Africa, less is done in that regard, as the prevalence of mental illnesses in the...
Being a parent is something most people look forwards to with delight. However, being a parent comes with a lot of responsibilities and demands. Sometimes these demands could get so overwhelming that the couples might feel incapable of coping with them and thus causing them a lot of distress. Parenting stress occurs when...
As humans, life always presents us with adversities and challenges such as illnesses, the demise of a loved one, financial difficulties, problematic relationships, abuse, loss of one’s job, a fatal accident, and other difficulties that cause us a lot of stress. The experience of these challenges stirs up different kinds of thoughts, feelings,...
In our society today, people are faced with diverse challenges and difficulties. Some can manage these challenges and difficulties whereas others find it quite tough scaling through life’s obstacles and they begin to look for a way of escape. In escaping these difficulties, some persons turn to drugs and other substances, while others...
A mental disorder is suffering or a disability associated with an abnormal pattern of thought, behavior, or emotional state that is not socially or developmentally normal. Mental disorders are generally defined by a combination of feelings, behaviors, and experiences that interferes with a person’s ability to function in daily activities of life (Jenkins...
Did you know that mental health is not just the absence of psychological disorders? Well, to know what mental health is, it is important to know what constitutes health as a whole. The World Health Organization defines health as “the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence...
Even though valentine’s season is expected to be the season of love when everyone is happy and excited expressing their undying affection to the ones they love, surprisingly, some people might be going through what seems to be one of the worst seasons of their lives during valentine. As much as no one...
Albert Ellis personality therapy of Cognitive theory states that, what causes us distress as human is not necessarily what happened to us but our belief about what happened to us. Unfortunately belief is deeper than opinion about situation, it’s a form of shoulds, oughts and musts that have been instilled in us over...
There have been lots of debates on what exactly pedophilic disorder is especially in Africa where every form of psychological disorder is easily explained by spiritualism or blamed on the devil. Before explaining this topic in detail, let’s start by examining the data as well as what the law says about sex abuse...
This journey in the field of mental health began with a magazine on relationships and marriage, where people usually send their challenges after going through the articles. Then the advocacy for right thinking and better parenting through meetings and speaking engagements in local communities. Being privy to the plight of the people and sourcing...
Several factors and the interactions between them influence career development. Others may be barriers to it. Let’s look at several of them: Personal Characteristics: Personality type, upbringing, and work-related values make people who they are. These personal characteristics play a significant role in career development since they influence which occupations people find satisfying, as well...
Work is still being done to determine the direct causes of substance abuse and mental health issues. While there is still much to be discovered, it is known that a number of factors play into the development of these disorders, and many of these factors are similar across both mental health and substance...
Focus on the physical sensations of anger. While it may seem counterintuitive, tuning into the way your body feels when you’re angry often lessens the emotional intensity of your anger. Take some deep breaths. Deep, slow breathing helps counteract rising tension. The key is to breathe deeply from the abdomen,...
INTRODUCTION: It is interesting how there are a whole bunch of people in our society who claim to be counsellors, but in actual fact, are far from it. From parents to teachers, clerics, bosses at work, Doctors and nurses and indeed anyone who occupies a position of influence have at one time or...
As explained by Basow (1986), gender roles are behaviors, expectations, and roles defined by society as masculine or feminine, which are embodied in the behavior of the individual. It refers to the set of attitudes and behaviors socially expected of the members of a particular gender (Philpot, 2000). It is often referred to...
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder are based on the behaviors and physical outcomes that occur as a result of alcohol addiction.People with alcohol use disorder may engage in the following behaviors: drinking alone, drinking more to feel the effects of alcohol (having a high tolerance), becoming violent or angry when asked about their...
People take on different roles or functions within the family system. These roles may be the result of family dynamics. The way that people behave and interact in their roles may not be a result of conscious choice. Some of the more common roles that people take on in a family include:1. The...
This is a learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills. The severity of this specific learning disability can differ in each individual but can affect reading fluency, decoding, reading comprehension, recall, writing, spelling, and sometimes speech and can exist along with other related disorders. Dyslexia is sometimes referred to as...
Grief counseling presents a special challenge to the mental health worker. Most of us go into mental health professions in order to benefit the people who come to us for help, but there is something about the experience of grief that precludes our ability to help. Bowlby (1980) touches on this when he...
What is Time management?Time management is simply how we decide to utilize our time in order to maximize our productivity in achieving a certain goal. It is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities.Some people feel as if they have more to do and less time...
Criticism is an act of expressing disapproval and noting the problems or faults of a person.During my course work for my master’s degree, we do research presentation as part of our course work, so then, whenever a person present, the course professor gives us the chance to criticize the work that was presented....
According to the doctor I met at the General Hospital Karu: psychiatric unit, his duties include but not limited to attending to both in-patients and outpatients suffering from a range of mental health problems.He assesses the patient’s mental and physical health, by reviewing their background and health history and current social situation. He...
Confidentiality is a complex issue that the counselor must work through. There are, however, basic guidelines of trust and confidentiality. For example, the counselor must not communicate to others the client’s shared feelings, thoughts, or any other personal information. Counselors should also be alert to the fact that absolute confidentiality can potentially leave...
It’s not unusual for children — especially those in their “terrible twos” and early teens — to defy authority every now and then. They may express their defiance by arguing, disobeying, or talking back to their parents, teachers, or other adults. When this behavior lasts longer than six months and is excessive compared to what...
Attachment Theory has become a deeply researched area of couple’s therapy. The fundamental premise of Attachment Theory is that we learned how to be a husband, or wife, or parent, for that matter, from our early-life relationships with our parents or other primary caregivers. The degree to which our parental attachment figures attended...
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder are based on the behaviors and physical outcomes that occur as a result of alcohol addiction.People with alcohol use disorder may engage in the following behaviors: drinking alone, drinking more to feel the effects of alcohol (having a high tolerance), becoming violent or angry when asked about their...
: THE THEORY OF MOTHER/FATHER IN-LAW RIVALRYAbayomi is 45, married to Morohuntodun, yet his mum, Mama Abayo, cooks and send his soup to his house every Saturday, now, don’t get it twisted, this is not out of love, this is out of unnecessary mother/son attachment, a very dangerous trend in Africa. Usually, It’s...
My experience as a Counselor & psychotherapist has exposed me to the uncontroversial fact that everyone has their life challenges & may at some point, need help to be able to cope & carrying on with life…Pastors, Parents, friends, Elders, Bosses , colleagues & much more , erroneously carry out the role...
One in four Nigerians – some 50 million people – are suffering from some sort of mental illness, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There are only eight neuropsychiatric hospitals in Nigeria. With dire budget and staffing shortfalls prompting doctors to go on strike, leave the country, or quit the medical profession...
Play therapy refers to a method of psychotherapy with children in which a counselor/therapist uses a child’s fantasies and the symbolic meanings of his or her play as a medium for understanding and communication with the child. Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model...
Professional Counselors are licensed mental health therapists who provide assessment, diagnosis and counseling to people facing a variety of life stresses and psychological problems. They help people with relationship issues, family problems, job stress, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, and many other challenging problems that can impact feelings of well-being...
A client’s gender identity is how he/she feels inside and how he/she expresses those feelings, such as in the way he/she dresses, appearance, and behaviors. Most people feel that they are either male or female and some feel neither male nor female. These people may choose labels such as “genderqueer”. These feelings usually...
Child therapy (also called child counseling) is much the same as therapy and counseling for adults: it offers them a safe space and an empathetic ear while providing tools to bring about change in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Just like adult clients, child clients receive emotional and goal support in their sessions. They...
Sexuality is not just about “sex” and certain body parts that are associated with males and females. Sexuality includes sexual orientation, such as who a person is attracted to and whether the person identifies as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, as well as their sexual fantasies and attitudes and values related to sex. Sexual...
Infidelity is breaking a promise to remain faithful to a sexual partner, whether that be marriage vows sanctified by the state or privately uttered agreements between lovers. As unthinkable as the notion of breaking such bonds may be at the time, infidelity is all too common. For the cheating partner, infidelity is exciting...
Porn addiction and sex addiction are not the same disorder. Addiction to porn is considered to be a type of sex addiction and can manifest itself differently than other types of sex addiction. Like “sex addiction,” “porn addiction” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 yet. However, an addiction to porn can...
It is not uncommon for parents to wonder whether their child is acting like a normal teenager or behaving differently due to mental illness, drug use or behavioral difficulties. Normal teenagers are often moody due to hormonal and physical changes that happen during puberty. However, when mental illness is involved, it may be...
Work is still being done to determine the direct causes of substance abuse and mental health issues. While there is still much to be discovered, it is known that a number of factors play into the development of these disorders, and many of these factors are similar across both mental health and substance...
RATE OF SUICIDE Seventy-nine people had committed suicide between April 8, 2017, and May 12 this year, according to the data obtained by Daily Trust from content analysis of Nigerian newspapers. In other News: – Girl commits suicide over JAMB- March 15, 2018- Vanguard EXACTLY a week after a female banker allegedly committed...
Why relationship, marriage and family counseling If you are seriously concerned about your relationship and wonder if it needs help, chances are it does. Research has shown that couples often wait many years after they first notice problems before seeking couples counseling. This makes couples counseling less likely to be effective, and it...
Before a counselor can effectively apply and assess the crisis theories and techniques to crisis situations he/she must possess the under listed qualities: Many times, a client may stir up painful memories from your own past. Effective crisis counselors are aware of their own triggers and have spent time in counseling or...
Career Counseling Experiencing one occupation or job to another give rise to several issues in an individual life time. This make career counseling focus on structuring an individual’s career life in line with the satisfaction of such individual himself. Career counseling referred to the therapeutic process of involving individual to know and understand...
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