IAC-IRTAC-Research

Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE1

Summary

Counselling Associations

All Professional Bodies, National Associations (e.g. Mental Health, School, Guidance, Addiction, Faith-based etc.) and Accrediting Organisations.

Zimbabwe Association of Family Therapists and Professional Counsellor

Zimbabwe Psychological Association

Universities and Other Education and Training Institutes

University of Zimbabwe

  • University Website: https://www.uz.ac.zw
  • Programme Website: https://www.uz.ac.zw/index.php/social-studies-programmes
  • Programme Types: Bachelor of Science Honours in Organisational and Industrial Psychology, Bachelor of Science Honours in Child Development and Psychology, Bachelor of Science Honours in Developmental Psychology, Bachelor of Science Honours in Forensic Psychology and Criminology, Bachelor of Science Honours in Social Work Master of Science in Sport Psychology, Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Master of Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Master of Science in Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology, Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, Master of Science in Social Work, Master of Science in Clinical Social Work, Master of Social Work and Social Policy

Midlands State University

African University Zimbabwe

Bindura University of Science Education

Great Zimbabwe University

  • University Website: https://www.gzu.ac.zw
  • Programme Website: https://www.gzu.ac.zw/department-of-psychology/
  • Programme Types: Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology, Bachelor of Science Honours in Counselling, Bachelor of Science Special Honours in Psychology, Master of Science Degree in Counselling Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychology

Women’s University in Africa

Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University

Reformed Church University

Manicaland State University

Counselling Agencies, Services, Group Practices, Counselling Centres

Solutions Counselling

Counselling Services Unit

The Marriage Centre

Background & Context

Colonial Period
Counselling was practised in Zimbabwe because of the British colonization. During the Colonia era White settlers brough their rendering of counselling psychology to the University of Rhodesia which is known as the University of Zimbabwe in today’s generation. Then, gradually the psychology department was established (Richards, Zivave, Govere, Mphande, & Dupwa, 2012).
In 1970s a counselling organization for school teachers known as the National Guidance and Counselling Association (NGCA) was consisted of individuals who were responsible for student career activities (Richards, Zivave, Govere, Mphande, & Dupwa, 2012). 


Post-Colonial Period
The NGCA between the year 1980-1990 continued to exist after Zimbabwe gained their independence. However, in the mid-1990s a lack of vision among the leadership and a decline in membership hampered the performance of the organization. Later on a new counselling organization, the South African Counselling Association (SACA) was established in 1994. The organization created counsellor board certificate, counsellors in the health professions council, advocate of professional counsellors and made connections with international counselling organisation. Sooner, the chairperson of SACA left Zimbabwe just as (NGCA) because of the lack of leadership (Richards, Zivave, Govere, Mphande, & Dupwa, 2012). 

Current Regulatory Status / Level of Recognition:

The previous NGCAZ became inactive after the chairman had left the country to begin with his doctoral studies in Australia. Then, two new counselling association have recently been established which are: Zimbabwe Counselling Association and Zimbabwe Association of Family and Professional Therapist (Richards, Zivave, Govere, Mphande, & Dupwa, 2012).

Practice Settings

Non-profit organization, counselling career in schools/universities for students and private settings.

Challenges & Trends

  • Currently, Zimbabwe has no doctoral degree programs in counselling. This is due, in part, to the “brain drain” Zimbabwe is experiencing that has resulted in the handful of Zimbabweans with doctoral degrees in counselling to reside outside the country. Hence, no one is available to teach doctoral classes.
  • A significant professional concern and ethical dilemma for providers of counselling services is that supervision and support services are usually limited or not available.
  • Paraprofessional counsellors and community caregivers are particularly vulnerable. Their clients come to them with issues that even experienced professional counsellors may struggle with, including rape, domestic violence, orphanhood, alcoholism, child-headed families, grief, suicide, and death (Richards, Pennymon, & Govere, 2004).

Additional Information & References

For more information about the counselling profession in the state, interested readers are encouraged to read the following journal and website articles:

  • Richards, K. A., Zivave, A. T., Govere, S. M., Mphande, J., & Dupwa, B. (2012). Counseling in Zimbabwe: History, Current Status, and Future Trends. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(1), 102-106. doi:10.1111/j.1556-6676.2012.00014.x

  • Richards, K. A., Pennymon, W., & Govere, A. (2004, November). Combating the spread of HIV in Zimbabwe through improved counselor practice, supervision, and support. Conference proceedings from the meeting of the World Heath Organization’s Eighth Global Forum for Health Research, Mexico City, Mexico. 

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