By Muthoni Njagi
Magistrate | Psychologist | Child Advocate
As someone who has worked in the Kenyan Judiciary for the last 13 years, I’ve presided over many cases that involved children — children who had experienced unspeakable trauma, abuse, and violations of their innocence.
My heart broke repeatedly sitting in courtrooms listening to child survivors testify. Some barely understood the questions. Others were cross-examined aggressively by lawyers treating them as if they were fully grown adults. And all I wanted was for those hearings to end so I could write a judgment — hoping that somehow, justice would mean healing for that child.
But I knew justice alone was not enough.
For years, I seldom saw psychologists in our courtrooms to support these young survivors — perhaps due to manpower challenges. But today, I am encouraged. As a practicing psychologist now, I see firsthand how mental health professionals are being integrated into Kenya’s justice system. It’s a shift I fully support, and one we must deepen.
The Silent Suffering of Children
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
🔹 1 in 10 children and adolescents globally has a diagnosable mental health condition.
🔹 Yet, most of them do not receive any help.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that:
🔸 1 in 5 children has a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.
🔸 Only 20% of them receive help from specialized mental health professionals.
If that’s the picture in high-income countries, imagine what it could look like in many African contexts, including Kenya — where mental health stigma, lack of access, and cultural silence can keep children suffering in the dark.
What Does Child Therapy Actually Involve?
Children, unlike adults, often express emotions through behavior, not words. This is why therapy for kids looks and feels different — it’s more hands-on, playful, and creative.
💬 How Therapy Works for Children
Children learn by doing. That’s how therapy works too.” — Child Psychologist Insight
Therapy may include:
- Play-based interventions for younger children (drawing, storytelling, role play).
- Talk therapy and skill-building for teens.
- Family sessions to improve communication, boundaries, and support systems.
A child psychologist might:
- Talk to your child about how they feel and think.
- Help them name and manage big emotions.
- Teach coping tools like deep breathing, grounding exercises, and mindfulness.
- Build skills like patience, social interaction, listening, and emotional regulation.
Therapy helps children:
- Believe in themselves.
- Feel heard and understood.
- Learn to handle tough emotions safely.
What Happens in a Child Therapy Session?
The first few sessions usually involve:
- An intake session with the parent/guardian and child.
- Assessment of the child’s emotional, behavioral, and mental well-being.
- Setting therapy goals together.
In ongoing sessions, children may:
- Talk about what’s bothering them in a safe, non-judgmental space.
- Use activities to explore their feelings.
- Practice solutions to real-life problems — at home, school, or with peers.
And most importantly, they learn that what they feel matters — and that healing is possible.
👶🏾 Trauma and the Criminal Justice System
Children caught in legal processes — whether as victims, witnesses, or even offenders — face unique psychological trauma. This trauma is often compounded by courtroom processes, societal stigma, and silence.
“Courtrooms are not child-friendly spaces — they can retraumatize.”
— My personal observation as a Magistrate
That’s why psychologists must walk alongside the justice system — providing trauma-informed care, helping children process their experiences, and supporting their healing journey.
🧠 When Should a Child See a Therapist?
Here are signs your child might benefit from seeing a psychologist:
- Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawing, aggression, regression).
- Nightmares, trouble sleeping, or eating.
- Persistent sadness, anxiety, or fear.
- Trouble in school or relationships.
- Talking about self-harm or death.
- After experiencing trauma, grief, or major transitions.
Sometimes, entire families may benefit from therapy — especially when dealing with separation, divorce, death, or violence.
💬 How Do You Start the Conversation?
If you’re thinking, “My child or a child I know may need therapy — but how do I begin?” — you’re not alone.
Here’s a guide:
- Start with openness: “I’ve noticed you’re having a hard time. How are you feeling?”
- Normalize it: “Just like we see doctors when we’re sick, we can talk to someone when we’re feeling sad or confused.”
- Avoid blame: Therapy is about healing, not fault.
- Be involved: Be ready to support the process — therapy works best when caregivers participate.
💡 Expert Advice from Child Psychologists
“The earlier we intervene, the better the outcome. Childhood trauma, if left untreated, can shape a lifetime.”
— Dr. Judy Njeri, Child & Adolescent Psychologist“Creating emotionally safe spaces at home and in institutions is key to mental well-being.”
— Dr. L. Mwakio, Clinical Psychologist
🌱 Let’s Be the Generation That Prioritizes Children’s Mental Health
- Normalize therapy.
- Advocate for child-friendly courtrooms and trauma-informed policies.
- Create safe spaces in homes, schools, and churches.
- Speak up against silence, stigma, and shame.
Let’s raise children who don’t have to heal from their childhoods.
Let’s support the ones already trying.
💚 Final Thoughts
Mental health is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Especially for our children.
As someone who’s seen their pain in court and now supports their healing in therapy, I urge every parent, caregiver, teacher, lawyer, and policy-maker:
Children deserve more than survival — they deserve to thrive.
Need Help Getting Started?
Visit my website to connect with a licensed child therapist or book a consultation.
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