Solid Minds Counselling Clinic
is a well-established, independent outpatient mental health clinic based in Kigali, licensed by Rwanda's Ministry of Health.
We believe in mental health for all.
We provide high-quality, evidence-based, compassionate and confidential direct counselling services to individuals, families, children, and groups, as well as ongoing supervision and training for mental health professionals. We also work at the systemic level by providing programming and services to organisations and institutions.
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The Challenge
Health
Mental health remains a critical yet overlooked public health issue: Stress, trauma, and emotional distress are not only affecting individuals but also driving the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke, leading to loss of lives, economic hardships, and worsening mental health across families and communities.
Families
Families bear a significant burden: Parents struggling with mental health challenges may find it difficult to provide emotional stability for their children, leading to intergenerational cycles of stress and trauma.
Stigma: Many children grow up in environments where mental health is not openly discussed or understood, further reinforcing stigma and limiting access to early intervention. At the same time, families often lack the tools and resources to support loved ones experiencing mental health challenges, creating an urgent need for awareness, education, and accessible care.
Institutional
In workplaces and academic settings, unaddressed mental health issues hinder performance, relationships, and well-being: Organizations frequently lack structured mental health support systems, leaving individuals to navigate their struggles alone. Without strategic, compassionate, and expert-driven interventions, these challenges will continue to limit individuals, families, and organizations from reaching their full potential.
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The Opportunity
Solid Minds turns challenges into opportunities for healing, growth, and transformation. By putting people at the center, we provide evidence-based, compassionate, and confidential mental health care that is accessible and personalized. We work with individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and communities to foster a culture of awareness, early intervention, and peer support, to break cycles of stigma and distress.
- Through collaboration, continuous learning, research, and advocacy, we strive to create inclusive, stigma-free, and peer-support spaces where mental well-being is prioritized.
- We continuously seek support, pursue partnerships and explore avenues to mobilize resources that will strengthen evidence-based interventions, expand mental health awareness and education for prevention, and foster continual learning and advocacy across different spheres of life.
At Solid Minds, we believe mental health is a shared responsibility that begins within individual, families and extends to communities, organizations, and society as a whole. With the right support, mental health challenges can become stepping stones to resilience, empowerment and transformation.
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Our Approach at a Glance
We are people-centered, committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate, and confidential mental health care. We ensure that every individual feels heard, supported, and empowered to live out their full potential.
We encourage partnerships at all times, embrace innovations, conduct research, and engage in participatory initiatives in order to advance effective, accessible and sustainable mental health solutions.
Beyond care, we advocate for stigma-free, inclusive spaces, where peer support and shared learning foster openness and resilience. By challenging judgmental beliefs, we cultivate communities that value and strengthen mental health and well-being.
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For Clinical Services, This Is Your Journey with Us
Step by Step
At Solid Minds Counselling Clinic, we want every step of your experience to feel supportive and clear. Here is what your visit will look like, from the moment you arrive to when you leave.
STEP 1
Arrival & Registration
Helpdesk – You are most welcome.
When you arrive, our team will greet you at the front desk and guide you through a brief registration process. We will collect basic information to help us serve you better; all in a safe and respectful space.
STEP 2
Billing & Confirmation
Transparent and simple.
After registration, we confirm your session and handle billing. Whether you are self-paying or using insurance, we ensure clarity and smooth processing before your session begins.
STEP 3
Vital Signs Check
A moment for your physical wellness.
A trained team member will take your vital signs such as blood pressure or pulse, as part of our holistic approach to care. This quick check helps us understand your overall wellbeing.
STEP 4
Consultation & Therapy
Where your journey truly begins.
You will then meet with your assigned clinician for your counselling or therapy session. This is your time—confidential, compassionate, and focused entirely on your needs and goals.
STEP 5
Exit & Next Steps
Support beyond the session.
After your session, our team will assist you with any follow-ups, next appointments, or additional information you may need. We’re here to walk with you beyond the first visit.
Online Sessions
Same Support, Wherever You Are
Can’t make it to the clinic? No problem. Our online sessions offer the same professional, confidential, and compassionate care—right from the comfort of your home, office, or wherever you feel safe. All you need is a device and a stable internet connection. We’re just one click away.
Start your therapy journey now!
This section offers clear, straightforward answers to common questions about mental health, therapy, counselling, and psychiatry. It’s designed to guide and support anyone looking to better understand mental well-being, whether you’re simply curious or considering seeking professional support.
The responses are written in easy-to-understand language to make mental health information more accessible. While not a substitute for professional care, they offer a helpful starting point and an open invitation to connect with our team of mental health professionals if you need support.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please go to the nearest hospital or contact an emergency helpline listed on the right. Your safety comes first.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a safe, confidential conversation with a trained professional that helps you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and life challenges. It supports healing, personal growth, and mental well-being, whether you’re facing a specific issue or simply seeking to live with greater clarity and balance.
That said, therapy is not a quick fix. Therapists don’t have all the answers, but they offer a supportive space where you can be heard without fear of judgment, express yourself freely, reflect, heal, and grow. Rather than giving you solutions, we walk alongside you, helping you find your own answers, at your own pace.
Is what I say in therapy really confidential? How can I know?
Yes, therapists are legally and ethically bound to keep your information private. At Solid Minds Counselling Clinic we provide evidence-based, compassionate and confidential mental health care.
Are there any situations where you’d have to break confidentiality?
Yes. Therapists are required to break confidentiality if there is a risk of serious harm—such as threats of suicide, self-injury, violence toward others, or abuse. This includes cases involving child abuse, elder abuse, or harm to a dependent adult. In such situations, reporting is mandated to protect your safety and the safety of others.
Is there any difference between therapy and counselling
While counselling and therapy are often used interchangeably, they have distinct differences in scope, approach, and depth.
A. Counselling
- Focus: Short-term, solution-focused support for specific life challenges (e.g., stress, relationship issues, grief, work-related concerns).
- Approach: Helps clients understand their emotions, develop coping skills, and make decisions about their present situation.
- Techniques: Active listening, psychoeducation, and practical strategies to improve well-being.
- Duration: Typically, short-term (a few sessions to a few months).
- Professional: Counsellors usually work with clients experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress.
B. Therapy (Psychotherapy)
- Focus: Deeper psychological work, often addressing underlying mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders).
- Approach: Uses structured techniques based on psychological theories to explore past experiences, emotions, and behavioral patterns that impact the client’s well-being.
- Techniques: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, etc.
- Duration: Often long-term, depending on the complexity of the condition.
- Professional: Typically provided by clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, or psychiatrists.
What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist?
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in mental health. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide medical management of psychiatric disorders.
- Psychologists hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology. They are trained to provide therapy, conduct psychological assessments, and diagnose mental health conditions, but they typically do not prescribe medication.
- Therapists is a general term for licensed mental health professionals who provide talk therapy. This includes:
- LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- LPC:Licensed Professional Counselor
- LMFT:Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Each plays a different role in supporting mental health, often working together to provide holistic care.