The need to talk about your emotions is sometimes seen as something to poke fun at, weak or shameful. That stigma is often why people don’t seek help in the first place.
However, for many, counselling provides a safe and trusting environment, aiding in understanding and resolving problems. For pregnant women particularly, therapy can be useful for providing a space for non-judgemental venting and management of all the uncomfortable feelings that can come up during this period. And for newborn mamas, caring for your baby while fitting into motherhood can be confusing and overwhelming for some. A counselling psychologist can provide a pillar for you to hold on as you navigate the ups and downs.
If you are in a situation where you feel like you cannot turn to a loved one, here are some best counselling centers to consider in the Nairobi area.
1. Africa Mental Health Training and Research Foundation
Located in Mawehsi Gardens off Matumbato Road in Upper Hill, the Africa Mental Health Training and Research Foundation (AMHTRF) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the research, dissemination of findings, and policy influence on matters of mental and neurological health. It was established in 2000 with the aim of providing evidence-based solutions to mental health issues.
For pregnant women, the organization provides both emergency and scheduled mental health support for gender-based violence and perinatal counselling cases. Patient reviews of the AMHTRF praise the organization’s location, services, affordability, and warm welcoming staff.
Other counselling focus areas by AMHTRF include:
- Advocacy and policy influence
- Capacity building
- Collaboration and partnerships
- Community support programs
- Emergency mental health support
- Mental health awareness and education
Location: Mawehsi Gardens off Matumbato Road, Upper Hill
Contact: 020 2651360
2. Amani Counselling Centre & Training Institute
Amani is Swahili word for peace. Amani Counselling Centre and Training Institute (ACCTI) is a non-government organization that’s both a mental wellness organization and a training institution.
With more than 40 years of experience, ACCTI equips future counsellors and psychologists with the emotional and educational needs they need to help other people navigate mental challenges. The organization has hospital branches as well as training centres in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nyeri, and Siaya counties.
For pregnant women, ACCTI can provide the mental support you need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Location: Nairobi CBD, Mombasa, Siaya, Nyeri
Contact: +254 02 6002672/ 0722 626 590
3. Community Voices Network (CVN)
Community Voices Network (CVN) is a youth-led non-government organization that was formed with the aim of uplifting young people from informal settlements via mental and sexual reproduction health.
The organization recognizes how adolescence and young adulthood can be a confusing period for the youth who, more often than not, may not have a trusted person to talk to about their struggles. Common focus talk areas include education, relationships, friendship, drugs, sexual health, mental wellness. CVN also integrates other forms of age appropriate activities, such as play therapy, art therapy and positive parenting, academic clinics, and dance for psychosocial support.
For pregnant women, CVN can offer mental health support for pregnant and newborn teen mothers, including help for postpartum depression and gender-based violence.
Location: Kamunde Road, Kariobangi North, Nairobi
Contact: +254 797 763 386
4. Nairobi Place
Nairobi Place is a private institution that supports people to get away from alcohol and other mood-altering substances or behaviours. Established in 2000, the organization’s mission is to promote an understanding of addiction with the aim of reducing stigma and encouraging more people to seek help.
One of the best things about Nairobi Place is that its founder, Sarah Markham, also struggled with alcohol addiction before they got professional help and went ahead to open the centre for other people who are struggling to get support.
The institution also has outpatient services, such as 12 Step Meetings, psychological education, personalized mental health, as well as inpatient services including medically monitored detoxification, psychiatric consultation, family support, and relapse prevention.
Nairobi Place can be particularly useful for pregnant women with addictions and are struggling to stop for the sake of their baby’s wellbeing.
Location: Kufuga Road, Sunrise Court, C6, Karen
Contact: 0721 399609
5. Oasis Africa
Oasis Africa is a leading mental health health organization offering both in-person counselling sessions in Westlands as well as online therapy. With over 35 years of experience in the mental health space, Oasis is dedicated to bettering the psychological health of its community through individual, couples, and group counselling sessions.
The institution also works closely with employers to provide wellness solutions for their employees, thus building a healthy workforce. For parents and pregnant moms, Oasis Africa can offer:
- Psychotherapy and counselling
- Parenting advice
- Prenatal and postnatal mental health support
Oasis Africa reviews praise its professional services and their warm reassuring staff, which is something you want to hear about your potential psychologist or counsellor.
Location: Consolata Shrine – Allamano Centre 4th Floor, Suite C, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
Contact: 0725 366614
6. Students’ Campaign Against Drugs (SCAD)
SCAD Kenya is a youth-centric non-government organisation promoting sobriety and healthy lifestyle choices for teens and youths aged 10 to 24 years old. It was established in 1997 as a school club by four Upperhill High School students whose aim was to reduce the rate of substance use among their peers.
Over the years, SCAD has expanded to support youths from across the nation, produced and staged drug abstinence films and plays, and even partnered with National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to shape policies.
The organization’s focus areas are:
- Programs for drug use and risky behavior prevention
- Promotion of mental health to reduce stigma and encourage seeking help
- Supporting SCAD clubs in schools
- Training and sensitization of mental health caregiving
- Counselling and therapy for teens and youth
SCAD can be useful for pregnant teens and young adults, especially those who are struggling with drug dependency as well as general mental health support throughout pregnancy and postpartum. As a parent, you can also enroll your teen for mental health support or more.
Location: Ark Junior School, Mukenia Rd, Nairobi
Contact: 0722 971672
7. Shamiri Health
This is a Kenyan organization which provides personalized mental health and wellness solutions at a fraction of the prevailing cost. Therapy services by Shamiri Health are available via in-person sessions and virtual counselling based on a subscription-based app or a phone call for those without a smartphone.
The organization works with individuals, teens, couples, and group sessions via a network of Kenyan therapists to restore mental wellbeing. For adults and teens, a basic subscription plan for a single therapy session starts at Ksh.2250 for virtual and Ksh.2500 for online therapy, but can be lower when you subscribe to 2 or more visits.
Pregnant or newborn moms can specially benefit from Shamiri Health’s services because of the subscription models, couple’s therapy, and virtual sessions.
Location: Applewood Adams, Ngong Road, 9th floor, Office number 904A
Contacts: + 254 718 292 043
8. Wazi
Wazi is a Kenyan startup with a purely digital mental health support platform which connects therapists and people who need therapy. It allows you to sign up under an anonymous username so you can get therapy support in a confidential and private manner. After signing up, you have the option to choose between a video or audio call therapy session, allowing for flexibility.
The platform serves as a therapy marketplace with a network of vetted and certified therapists from diverse backgrounds, ensuring there’s a solution for everyone. A single digital therapy session on Wazi Kenya platform costs a flat fee of Ksh. 2500.
On Wazi, pregnant women and newborn moms can get mental health support for:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Work and personal life stress
- Alcohol/drug dependency
- LGBTQ+ support
- Marriage and family
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
It’s however important to note that Wazi doesn’t offer emergency or mental health crisis support.
9. Tulivu Psychological Counselling and Wellness
Tulivu is a therapy counselling and wellness centre in Nairobi that provides a safe, private, and confidential space for people to work on themselves with the support of a professional. The private practice is led by Dr Hamida Ahmed who is a psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with teens, individuals, couples, and group sessions.
The centre provides both in-person and video call sessions and is accredited by the Kenya Psychological Association. Common services that Tulivu can offer you as a pregnant woman, newborn mom or parent include:
- Postpartum depression
- Gender based abuse
- Adoption counselling
- Crisis counselling
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Parenting
- Marriage and family
Location: Peponi Road, Westlands
Contact: 0756 230713/ +254711082072
10. Tulivu Psychological Counselling and Wellness
Vizazi is Swahili word for ‘generations’ and matches the organization’s aim which is to impart the next generation with psychological knowhow via counselling practice as well as training. The centre was founded in 2018 by Wendy Aimée De Macker who’s a psychologist with decades of experience in Kenya and the Netherlands.
It utilizes evidence-based methods from intergenerational, systematic, cognitive, and EFT to restore patients’ mental wellbeing.
For expectant couples and parents, Vizazi provides mental health support for:
- Domestic violence
- Relationship issues
- Parenting
- Sexual, physical & emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Communication problems
- Misbalance of hierarchy
- Dysfunctional family strategies
Location: Before 91 Grey Gables, Lower Kabete
Contact: 0711 927666
11. Essential Therapy
Headed by a Kenyan psychotherapist, Essential Therapy centre explores different, and sometimes atypical, evidence-based approaches to help people into self-actualization as a means of managing mental health problems. The integrated and holistic methods involve social, emotional, spiritual, intuitive, and person-centred therapy from rigorously vetted therapists from diverse backgrounds.
One of the unique things about Essential Therapy is that during your first sessions, you get around 15 minutes to get acquitted with your therapist and determine whether you’re a good match before moving forward. As a pregnant woman or parent, this can be especially useful in ensuring you’re confident and open enough when seeking help. The counseling centre also has both in-person and online sessions available via Zoom video or audio calls.
Some of the approaches Essential Therapy employs include:
- Insight or insight-oriented therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Existential therapy
- Transpersonal psychology
Location: 32 Peponi Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
Contact: +254 722786841
12. The Raphaelites
The Raphaelites is a non-profit organization established in 2001 and dedicated to drug rehabilitation for people who are addicted or struggling to quit. The centre integrates evidence-based practices and patient-centred care that encompasses the 12-step program at the core of their care.
Established in 2001, The Raphaelites aims to make addiction treatment and mental healthcare accessible to everyone. The organization has a residential rehabilitation centre located in the serene and tranquil environment along Limuru road, which can facilitate faster recovery.
If you’re planning to conceive or you’re already pregnant but struggling to quit, the Raphaelites is ideal for personalized support. Their main services are:
- Prevention and advocacy
- Addiction intervention
- Screening and detox
- Residential rehabilitation
- Relapse prevention
- Mental health care
Location: The Raphaelites Off Limuru Road Nairobi, Kenya
Contact: +254 722 714 300/ 0722 837 627
Virtual Psychologist for Pregnancy Care at Malaica Maternity Hospital
If you’re looking for a psychologist specializing in maternal mental health care, Malaica’s virtual psychologist is here for you. Whether you’re planning to conceive, are already pregnant, or just delivered your little one, our psychologist provides all the support you need to navigate fertility issues, pregnancy blues, and postpartum depression. Our online group of pregnant and newborn moms provides the extra community so you’re not alone in this.
Visit us at 240 General Mathenge Gardens in Westlands for pregnancy and parenting mental health support with our psychologist. You can also reach out to us by requesting a call back or sending a message to +254 746 610643 to learn how we can support your mental health.