A New Dawn for CBT in Zimbabwe

Dr. Tarisai Bere, clinical psychologist and founder of the Zimbabwe Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies Association (ZCBTA), shared an inspiring story of resilience and innovation.

Registered in October 2025, ZCBTA was established to provide training, advocacy, and community-based interventions that make CBT affordable and culturally grounded. Zimbabwe, with a population of 15 million, faces widespread poverty, youth unemployment, and rising substance-use disorders. Only 18 psychiatrists and six clinical psychologists currently serve in the public sector.

Dr. Bere drew on the success of the Friendship Bench, a globally recognized model of task-shifted, CBT-informed therapy delivered by trained grandmothers. Building on this foundation, ZCBTA aims to:

• Expand CBT training programs through partnerships with universities.
• Develop peer-counsellor models for youth mental-health support.
• Promote public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.
• Strengthen collaboration with WHO and WCCBT on community-based delivery.

“Collaboration, not competition, will drive our success,” Dr. Bere said. “Together we can create locally led solutions that bring CBT into every community.”

As the founder of the newly established Zimbabwe Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies Association (ZCBTA), Dr. Bere expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with fellow African CBT leaders and the WCCBT in building a regional CBT organization. She reaffirmed her commitment to working collectively to expand access, strengthen training, and embed evidence-based psychological care within communities across Africa.