Our Exeperts
PROFILE FOR DR FARZANA NAEEM
Clinical Psychologist and Registered Naturopath
PhD Dr. Farzana Naeem is a State-Licensed Principal Clinical Psychologist and Registered Naturopath (Homeopath) with two decades of experience in Zimbabwe and Pakistan. She has demonstrated leadership in Healthcare Advocacy. She initiated groundbreaking approach to Substance and drug abuse and mental health treatment in Zimbabwe. She has received accolades for her innovative approach to substance abuse treatment and her dedication to transforming lives. She is the Founder, CEO of Gateway Mental Health and Rehabilitation Centre – Zimbabwe’s only facility offering mental health and physical health support in very holistic and natural way. She has been the Head of the Psychology Department at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals since 2006. She currently serves as a committee member of the Mental Health Committee at the Public Service Commission of Zimbabwe. She is council memeber for naturopathy Zimbabwe and head of clinical psychology department for government initiative national drug and substance abuse plan (2024-2030), Launched by H.E. president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Rehabilitation Affiliations She holds multiple prestigious affiliations, including membership in the Zimbabwe Psychological Association (ZPA), the American Psychological Association (APA), serves as a registered member and supervisor of the Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ) and council member of Natural Therapists Council of Zimbabwe. Previously served as
• Manager of Zimbabwe’s First Public Call Centre for Psychosocial Support Funded by the World Bank, Cordaid, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care. • Lead Psychologist at Westend Rehabilitation Centre (2013–2024).
She is correspondent for numberus news papers such as The herald and daily news, The Chronicles etc.
• The Head of Career Advisory and Counselling Services at the University of Zimbabwe (2013–2024).
• Former Director-in-Charge of the Crisis Support Centre (2010–2020). She also held the position of Vice President of ZPA (2016–2018)
• Developer of Zimbabwe’s First Counselling Handbook – Created in collaboration with ECOZI and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education for use in all state universities.
• Advisory Patron of the numberous Support and Awareness Centre, Zimbabwe.
• Founder of Farzana WellCare Trust – A non-profit organization supporting individuals facing old-age challenges and crises. (2018) Expertise & Training: Dr. Naeem has exclusive training in:
✔ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
✔ Hypnotherapy
✔ Reflexology Therapist
✔ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
✔ Graphology (Handwriting Analysis)
✔ Naturopathy
✔ Cupping (Physical Therapy)
✔ Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer
✔ Radionics Therpist
✔ Forensic & Child Psychology
✔ Community Psychiatry & Randomized Control Trials
✔ GRiFFiTHS Child Assessment
✔ Masterclass in Substance Abuse (UZ Department of Psychiatry NECTAR Programme)
✔ Leadership, Organizational Dynamics & Industrial Psychology (UNISA)
✔ Social Dreaming & Hypnosis Academic & Research Contributions: and child assessments and therapies.
• Conducted groundbreaking research on the impact of the Big Five Personality Traits on teaching quality at the University of Zimbabwe. • Designed multiple university training programs and workshops for mental health professionals.
• Trained hundreds of peer and faculty counsellors at the University of Zimbabwe. Recognition & Media Presence: • Recipient of the 2024 Medical Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to the field of Substance Abuse and innovative approach for treatment in Zimbabwe. • Regular contributor to leading Zimbabwean newspapers (The Herald) in collaboration with AHFOZ. Holds affiliations with SIOPSA (SA), Healthier (SA), Workplace Options (UK), Careway Group (SA), and Life Assist (UK). She is also the co-author of many research studies. Facilitated Basic Counselling Training for Faculty counsellors and Peer counsellors for University Of Zimbabwe. (2013-2024) Received Certification and Training in ICD-11. Member of Zimbabwe Epilepsy Support Foundation. Presenter and Guest of Honour of Igniting the Psychology Passion Conference and ZPA. Appreciated as a Sports Psychologist For Men’s Volleyball Championship Zimbabwe. Trained and certified in Operation of Call Centres Dr. Naeem’s extensive work in mental health, rehabilitation, crisis intervention, professional training and Naturopathy has positioned her as a leading figure in clinical psychology across Zimbabwe and beyond.
PROFILE FOR SHANAYA SIDHU
Clinical Psychologist
Gateway Mental Health and Rehabilitation Centre, Harare
Achievements & Contributions:
🔹 Academic Distinction & Specialization
• Awarded Gold Medal by Panjab University for securing Rank 1 in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program (2020–2022) with a final aggregate of 91.7%.
• Specialized in three core domains: Clinical Psychology (Abnormal Psychology), Child Psychopathology, and Professional Foundations of Counselling, reflecting a well-rounded and in-depth mastery of psychological care.
🔹 Innovative Mental Health Tools & Resources
• Developed a comprehensive suite of mental health screening tools tailored for both adults and children, focusing on areas such as depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, and family dynamics. These tools were successfully deployed during a community clinic at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Men’s Association in Harare (July 2024).
• Authored a Parenting Guidebook and a Children’s Mental Health Workbook & Manual, now used as part of Gateway’s educational and therapeutic outreach programs. These resources are designed to promote emotional literacy, behavior management, and early intervention strategies for families and schools.
🔹 Clinical Practice & Therapeutic Engagement
• As a Clinical Psychologist, Shanaya provides evidence-based psychotherapy for clients presenting with mood disorders, trauma, addiction, and family conflict.
• Led therapy sessions for adolescents and adults, participated in crisis interventions, and managed high-risk clinical cases with empathy and professionalism.
🔹 Systemic Advocacy & Ethical Practice
• Contributed to the drafting of legal and ethical practice guidelines for private psychology practice in Zimbabwe.
• Collaborated on a proposal for the creation of a government-funded rehabilitation centre, demonstrating commitment to broader mental health infrastructure development.
🔹 International Training & Communication Proficiency
• Certified Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), accredited by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
• Scored 102/120 in the TOEFL examination, showcasing strong international communication and documentation skills.
🔹 Holistic, Client-Centered Care
• Shanaya integrates standardized psychological assessments with deep personality insights to develop a comprehensive clinical profile for every client. Her therapeutic style is rooted in active listening, collaborative goal-setting, and fostering long-term emotional resilience.
Our Exeperts
PROFILE FOR NYARAI CHANGONDA
Psychological Counsellor & Mental Health Advocate
Nyarai Chagonda is a passionate psychological counsellor dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward mental well-being. A people-loving professional with a natural ability to connect empathetically, Nyarai combines formal training with genuine care in her approach to therapy.
She graduated with distinction from the University of South Africa (UNISA) with an Honours degree in Psychological Counselling, having built her foundation in psychological science and counselling methods. Nyarai’s focus includes working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, and identity-related challenges. Her work reflects a holistic mental health philosophy, believing in addressing the mind, body, and soul for true healing.
Nyarai’s interpersonal skills, empathetic listening, and commitment to unconditional acceptance make her an asset to both clients and colleagues. Her counselling practice draws on techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care. She is also exploring innovative uses of AI tools to enhance her professional growth and service delivery.
When not counselling, Nyarai is involved in creating mental health awareness materials and organizing community programs such as the "Better Me Series," which promotes self-improvement across various life domains.
Contact:
Gateway Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre
16 McLaren, Milton Park, Harare
078808001 | Emergency: 0772397362
gatewaymhrehab@gmail.com
Our Exeperts
PROFILE FOR SHUMIRAI SITHOLE
Clinical Psychologist | Mental Health Advocate | Digital Health Innovator
Shumirai Sithole is a dynamic and compassionate Clinical Psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and over five years of professional experience in diverse and high-impact mental health settings. Her work stands at the intersection of traditional clinical practice and forward-thinking mental health innovation, making her a key figure in Zimbabwe’s growing mental health landscape.
Shumirai’s clinical expertise includes working in acute psychiatric and general hospitals, such as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, and Gweru Provincial Hospital, where she provided assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for individuals with a wide range of mental health challenges. In these demanding environments, she built a strong foundation in clinical decision-making, crisis management, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
In addition to her hospital-based work, Shumirai has made significant contributions to community mental health through partnerships with reputable NGOs. She has worked with:
-
Friendship Bench Zimbabwe, where she helped integrate culturally sensitive, evidence-based therapy models into grassroots mental health support.
-
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), where she collaborated on mental health education and outreach.
-
CORDAID, supporting vulnerable populations through psychosocial interventions and the national mental health hotline hosted by Parirenyatwa Hospital.
A major focus of her recent work includes suicide risk assessment and intervention, where she designs and delivers effective response strategies, especially for high-risk populations. Her passion for preventative mental health led her to develop and implement corporate wellness programs targeting stress, burnout, and emotional resilience in the workplace.
She is also a leading advocate for digital mental health innovation, exploring how technology—such as telehealth platforms, mobile apps, and digital support groups—can bridge the treatment gap in underserved communities. Shumirai actively works to make mental health care more accessible, inclusive, and scalable through these emerging tools.
Shumirai Sithole is a registered member of the Zimbabwe Psychology Association (ZPA) and is recognized for her commitment to advancing ethical, client-centered, and forward-looking mental health services across Zimbabwe and beyond.
Her approach is rooted in empathy, science, and a deep belief in the power of healing. At Gateway Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre, she plays a pivotal role in both clinical service delivery and program development, continuously driving efforts to promote psychological well-being across diverse populations.
