Staff focus with Wala Nalungwe
PSYCHOLOGIST & COUNSELOR
FULL NAME:
Wala Nalungwe
WHAT IS YOUR FIELD OF SPECIALITY?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Therapeutic Art
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Bachelor of Arts with Education. Psychology Major, English Minor
WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE YOU ATTAINED THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?
I have successfully seen clients through difficult situations and supported them through the healing process. I have also held consultancy roles for various behavioral change programmes including one programme with CIDRZ that used Therapeutic Art to support adolescents that were living with HIV. Another programme was the Youth to Work programme where our team worked with Challenges Zambia to facilitate a training programme for young people. The prgramme included Therapeutic Art. Yet another programme was the Hold my Hand project that supported childfren that had experienced trauma. This programme involved developing the curriculum and facilitating training for the counselors that would work directly with the children.
DO YOU INTEND TO FURTHER YOUR STUDIES? WHAT WOULD YOU STUDY?
I am currently pursuing a master of science in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Zambia. I intend to pursue a doctorate in the same field.
GIVE INSIGHT ON YOUR COUNSELLING EXPERIENCE.
I have practicing for more than then years. I began as a volunteer at Clinic 6 the Psychiatric Unit at the University Teaching Hospital. I later started consulting at Silver Lining Health Care. Eventually I enrolled in a master class for Therapeutic Art which I added to the Cognitive Behavioural Approach that I was using before. Therapy is not once off. A client has to be consistent and put in work for therapy to be successful. It is so fulfilling when a client is discharged and they can cope on their own and fall back on tools and strategies gained during therapy when they experience challenges or a relapse.
WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING ON THIS JOURNEY YOU HAVE EMBARKED ON?
Positive feedback from students and clients, seeing people shift from being dependent to being independent and capable of using strategies and tools gained through the therapeutic process is the biggest reward it keeps me motivated and fulfilled. Where do you get your love/passion to do what you do?
After my first child was born, I developed post-partum depression and when I went back to University I pursued Psychology with a greater passion, I wanted to be in a better position to support others that were experiencing mental health challenges.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (Martin Luther King)
WHAT WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD YOU GIVE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH HARD TIMES?
Every challenge that we face helps us build resilience and this in turn helps us face greater challenges in the future. In addition, conditions and challenges are not permanent, just like seasons change so do conditions and situations. It is the experiences that we are exposed to that shape who we are and enables us to leave that distinct footprint each of us leaves on this Earth.
