Sister Yvonne Sanyanga, a Carmelite nun and certified counseling psychologist, plays an important role in Zimbabwe’s growing mental health field. She offers workshops and counseling to seminarians and laypeople alike. With the country facing tough economic and social challenges, mental health problems are on the rise. At the same time, there are not enough mental health professionals to meet the demand, making Sister Yvonne’s work especially vital.
Based in Harare, the capital city, Sister Yvonne also teaches future priests at Arrupe Jesuit University. She helps seminarians prepare for their religious vocations and supports them as they face personal challenges. In a recent interview with Global Sisters Report, she shared her journey and insights into her work as a psychologist and religious sister.
How did you begin your work as a counseling psychologist?
Sister Yvonne said her passion for listening and helping others started when she was young. She felt drawn to religious life partly because of this desire to care for people emotionally. “God guided me to this profession through the advice of my prioress general, who encouraged me to study psychology,” she explained.
Her passion grew through the mentors she met during her studies and continues to grow as she practices counseling. She combines her psychological training with her religious vocation. This allows her to help people in a holistic way, blending mental health care with spiritual support.
Who do you work with?
She works with many people from different backgrounds. Her clients face a range of issues such as depression, stress, trauma, substance abuse, relationship problems, and suicidal thoughts. She also helps those struggling with grief, identity crises, and family conflicts.
What is your experience teaching at Arrupe Jesuit University?
Sister Yvonne finds teaching rewarding but challenging. She works with students who have different learning needs. Her goal is to help them think critically and become resilient in today’s fast-changing world.
“What I find most fulfilling is seeing the students grow and develop their skills. It feels good to know I am helping shape their future,” she said. Many students later apply what they learned to serve their communities.
Recently, she led a workshop for seminarians invited by Father Mobie Musakatiza, who supports young men discerning the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Harare. She noted that while the church supports these seminarians, they still need help with their emotional, social, and financial struggles.
How can young people in Zimbabwe be helped to stay away from drugs and remain connected to the church?
Sister Yvonne suggests creating welcoming and supportive church environments. She recommends youth-friendly programs like mentorship, community service, and recreational activities to build positive friendships.
These programs can help young people think carefully about their faith and social pressures. Counseling services, both individual and group therapy, can provide safe spaces to talk about their problems and feel less alone.
She also supports life skills training in areas like money management, job preparation, and conflict resolution. Such skills help youth face their daily challenges better.
Sister Yvonne pointed out that focusing too much on church doctrine without connecting it to personal experience can push young people away. She believes sermons should address real-life issues to keep youth engaged in faith.
Finally, she encourages the church to recognize past negative experiences families might have had. Creating safe spaces for discussion and offering counseling can help heal old wounds that may stop young people from staying involved.
What advice do you have for other Catholic sisters who want to work in psychology?
She says studying psychology is important for sisters. It helps them understand people better and strengthens their ability to listen and show compassion. Combining psychology with spiritual guidance can expand the ways sisters serve their communities.
“If more sisters take up this field, they can make a big difference in helping individuals and communities inside and outside the church,” she said.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Sister Yvonne likes to relax by reading motivational books, doing research, writing articles, traveling, walking in nature, watching movies, and meditating. These activities help her recharge and maintain balance.
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