Counselling In The African Context

Traditional counselling is an under-researched field, with inadequate scholarly documentation on the approaches, procedures and process outcomes that should motivate researchers, counselling psychologists and educationists to tap from the abundant unchartered waters. This book represents a major step towards narrowing these gaps. Its main contribution is the articulation of a theoretical framework of traditional counselling, the delineation of traditional counselling approaches and processes, and the clarification of the scope of problems apparent in the sphere of traditional counselling. Traditional counselling is rooted in traditional systems of knowledge and sociocultural values, customs and practices, is essentially community-based and multicultural in nature, and promotes a collective inclination to problem identification, resolution and management. This underscores the importance, relevance and usefulness of traditional counselling from an African perspective. The book is a thought-provoking investigation on counselling models.

This volume advances a uniquely Afro-centric, sociocultural understanding of health maintenance and risk reduction in African cultural heritage populations. It unites a diverse group of leading African and Africanist scholars in an exploration of common cultural values in African heritage communities and their practical applications in contemporary counseling. The chapters highlight the prominent health issues faced in Africanist settings today and use real-world experiences to illustrate core lessons for effective community action. The approach spans complex cultural milieus, from diversity counseling to conflict resolution. Each chapter includes field-based experiential tasks, discussion boxes, research boxes and case studies, which serve as valuable resources in both coursework and casework. Counseling People of African Ancestry is an essential primer for community health workers, counselors and educators seeking a better understanding of African cultural heritage settings to promote community health, well-being and development.

As a ground-breaking scholarly contribution to the field of psychology, this is a comprehensive peer-reviewed publication for those working in student counseling and development (SCD) units in higher education (HE). Written by experienced practitioners, the book sets out to: expand on the theoretical, research, and conceptual foundations of SCD * position SCD within an African context * equip readers with the latest information on developments within the SCD field of study * specifically disseminate original research on the historical development of SCD and the role of the Southern African Association for Counseling and Development in Higher Education (SAACDHE) in developing the study field as a core function within higher education institutions * provide a comprehensive work for a wide range of counselors, psychologists, health-related professionals, academics, researchers, educators, and student services personnel who work in SCD, wellness, and student support units. Divided into five sections to outline an extensive coverage of SCD, the various chapters offer summaries of applicable theories and research to orientate readers and provide a background for discussions on different programs and issues. Contemporary issues are discussed in every section to highlight unique challenges for practice and research.

This is the first time an author has listened to pastors in Africa and compared her findings with pastoral counseling from a Western perspective. Pastoral Counseling in Africa and the West presents a practical record of pastoral counseling in Africa. It accounts for the wide difference between pastoral counseling in Africa and the West considering that pastoral counselors in Africa received Western theological training. It presents a theological perspective of the pastoral counseling ministry in Africa and the West. It also presents both perspectives as professional partners in conversation with each other. “Thank God for providing trained experts like Dr. Daramola to enlighten His people. I have every confidence this publication is only the first installment. More GRACE to her elbows!” Emmanuel Oladipo Former International Secretary Scripture Union