Therapist Chronicles: Talk Therapy with Ejiro Ubierohwo

Ejiro Ubierohwo is a conscientious child and adolescent therapist in Nigeria specializing in developmental disorders, anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), parenting skills, and behavioral management. She enjoys working with parents to help their children foster positive developmental patterns and young adults.

In this interview, Ejiro talks about her work with clients and gives us insight into her life and experiences as a therapist.

Please introduce yourself. (Mention your years of experience, areas of specialty, and specific interests.)

I’m a mental health professional with 7 years of experience. My areas of specialty are broad, covering child development, behavioral disorders in children and adolescents, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, family therapy, autism spectrum disorder, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders in children, stress management, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

In addition to specific disorders, I specialise in relationship management, self-identification, and self-awareness. I help people cope with life’s challenges, live life to the fullest, and contribute positively to society.

Can you describe your experience working as a therapist on mytherapist.ng? What does a typical day at work look like?

My experience on mytherapist.ng so far has been remarkable; it’s been a place of daily learning and growth. The best part is that I have complete control over my schedule. I get to choose the days and times when I’m available to work.

A typical workday involves clients seeking therapy through the mytherapist.ng app. Unless someone explicitly requests me, I accept therapy sessions based on my availability. The app provides reminders 24 hours, 12 hours, and 30 minutes before the session, so I have ample time to be well-prepared and focused.

At least 15 minutes before each therapy session, I make it a point to be at my desk, removing any distractions so I can give my undivided attention to the client. Most clients prefer audio calls over video, so I focus on them thoroughly and make them feel heard and understood.

What would you consider to be the leading causes of mental health issues in Nigeria?

The leading cause of mental issues in Nigeria right now is poverty. The state of the economy contributes directly to the state of people’s mental health. As it is, the state of the economy is depreciating, and poverty can cause significant stress, pressure, depression and traumatic experiences.

When working with clients facing child abuse issues, how do you ensure a safe and supportive environment for both the child and their caregivers?

When helping families dealing with child abuse, my primary focus is creating a safe space for both the child and their caregiver. Although it’s online, trust is a big deal, so I work on building trust with the child and the caregiver while also keeping things strictly confidential.

In Nigeria, stigma is usually a valid concern, so I ask their permission to collaborate with other professionals if needed. One can’t do it all sometimes, so I have to involve stakeholders who can help the client get the help they need—this could mean getting them a place to stay or other special kinds of help.

Also, I check in regularly to see how the child feels and how the caregiver handles it. Every family is different, so I understand their unique situation and help them in a way that works for them.

What do you think about affirmations? Do they work? And if yes, how? How do they contribute to mental well-being?

Affirmations contribute greatly to mental well-being; I suggest them to my clients because they work. Affirmations help to reinforce positive thoughts and feelings, shape a positive mindset, and build confidence.

When you have negative thoughts, you do negative things; when you have positive thoughts, you do positive things. When all that surrounds you is positive, you respond to life more positively. So, I recommend daily affirmations.

What do you think are the biggest challenges faced by therapists?

One big challenge for therapists, including myself, is keeping up with information. Each client has a unique story and background, so it’s important to keep up with information about their lives to understand them better. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has various cultures and behaviours, so you can’t approach therapy in the same way for everyone.

Another challenge is maintaining boundaries. Although working on an app helps keep emotions in check, there’s usually the risk of getting too emotionally involved in clients’ issues. Working with an app makes that somewhat more manageable, though.

How do I know that it’s time to start seeking therapy?

A typical day usually goes this way: you brush your teeth, eat your food, go to work, interact with people, and sleep. If you find that you’re struggling to keep up with this routine, that’s a sign you should seek therapy.

Also, when you’re facing persistent emotional distress or challenges that affect your daily life and well-being significantly, it’s time to seek therapy.

What do you think are the most important things people should keep in mind when choosing a therapist?

When choosing a therapist, first, you need to check their reviews and seek recommendations. Reviews provide great insight into whether a therapist’s methods are effective.

Also, consider their qualifications and experience—especially their experience. You need to know what they can do and if they can actually help you solve your problems.

Besides, how do they approach therapy? You don’t want to go to therapy and need therapy to heal from that therapy session, like counter-therapy therapy. So, you need to pay attention to their manners of approach as well. Knowing this will help you decide if a therapist is right for you.

What do you find most rewarding about your work? What’s the best part of being a therapist?

What I find most rewarding about my work is knowing that therapy works. Seeing my clients doing what I ask them to and living better, happier lives is deeply rewarding.

Another beautiful part of my work is seeing my clients become their therapists. That tells me they’re not passive about their lives; they know what they’re doing, so they’re in control of their mental well-being.