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Victoria Abisinuola Thompson is a beacon of hope and resilience. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Ilorin, her academic journey paved the way for a more profound calling. Victoria Abisinuola embarked on a mission to bring emotional stability to the world, with a particular focus on underserved rural communities. This journey gave birth to Victoria Restored Minds, an organization dedicated to illuminating lives through mental health support.

The Vision Behind Victoria Restored Minds

In 2012, Victoria Abisinuola founded Victoria Restored Minds with a mission close to her heart. She envisioned a world where emotional stability was not a luxury but a fundamental right, a world where individuals from even the most remote rural communities had access to free mental health services. Victoria Restored Minds was born out of her passion for helping others navigate the labyrinth of mental health challenges, a journey she herself continues to navigate.

A Legacy of Impact

Victoria Restored Minds has an impressive track record, assisting over 10,000 mental health cases. But its impact extends beyond numbers. Abisinuola Victoria and her team have spearheaded various mental health campaigns, conferences, and walks year after year. Her role as a mental health advocate is only one facet of her multifaceted identity; she is also a gifted writer, author, speaker, and a formidable voice for mental health and humanity.

A Dynamic Force for Change

Alongside her husband, Dennis Ray Thompson, Abisinuola Victoria is actively working to make the world a better place. Together, they are leading the charge to transform the mental health landscape, especially in rural areas. Their joint passion for children is palpable in their impactful initiatives. They have championed numerous campaigns and are at the forefront of creating emotional stability in communities. Above all, they firmly believe that mental health should not bear the weight of stigma and are resolute in raising awareness.

A Heart for Service

Abisinuola has actively served with several NGOs, including GoodWill Ambassadors of Nigeria, Motivated Mankind, YALI Network, Lifewire Foundation, Valerie Chapman Home, and Supernatural Gospel Crusader, among many others. Her commitment to humanity has earned her various certifications and awards, including the “Community Impact Award” organized by Jamie Pajoe and the “Understanding Girls and Women’s Right” YALI Award. She has organized numerous rural development programs, conferences, and visited several Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in recent years.

A Message of Purpose and Benevolence

Abisinuola Victoria passionately advocates for an emotionally stable society, purposeful living, and impactful existence. Her message resonates deeply with her core belief that every individual on Earth has a purpose. She encourages everyone to thrive above life’s challenges, always emphasizing the importance of passing on the torch of benevolence when one finds themselves in a better place. She reminds us that life is fleeting, urging us all to live it fully and make it count.

Overcoming Challenges in Providing Free Mental Health Services

Financial constraints pose a significant challenge when providing free mental health services and other charitable programs. However, Abisinuola Victoria is fortunate to have a team of dedicated volunteers, including trained professionals in psychology, psychotherapy, counseling, and social work. This support is invaluable in delivering these services.

Mobility can be another hurdle, especially when working in extremely rural areas with challenging road conditions. Securing transportation willing to navigate these routes can be a logistical challenge.

Impactful Stories from Over 10,000 Cases

Among the many impactful stories, one stands out—a client who had lost her mother and was battling anxiety, fears, and other mental health issues. Abisinuola Victoria received a late-night call from the distressed client, prompting her to travel a considerable distance to provide support. Her intervention, which included calming the client and ensuring she felt safe, made a significant difference. This client’s journey to healing and recovery is a testament to the positive impact of Victoria Restored Minds.

Balancing Personal Life with Humanitarian Commitments

Abisinuola Victoria emphasizes the importance of love, communication, and prioritizing each other in her marriage with Dennis Ray Thompson. They consider themselves as a united entity and support one another’s endeavors. While challenges arise, they choose love and communicate openly, fostering an environment where both can grow individually and as a couple.

Strategies for Breaking Mental Health Stigma

Victoria Restored Minds tackles mental health stigma through campaigns, articles, one-on-one interactions, and storytelling. Sharing personal stories through platforms like the “Unashamed Conversation” show helps individuals understand they are not alone in

Dr. Timi Oyebode is the Founder/ Head Counselor at Attitude Development International, an Organization focused on promoting Professional Counseling & Counseling Education in Africa. She is the provost ADI Counselling School Lagos. Timi is a Seasoned, Passionate and Certified Professional COUNSELOR with over sixteen (16) years’ experience working with individuals, couples, and families.
Her focus is on Emotional Wellness, Self-Discovery, Trauma, Abuse, Addiction and Sex Recovery Therapy which had made her connect with various persons at different levels of need.  She runs a Yearly Retreat for Couples, Emotional Empowerment Sessions for women, Mentorship Forums, Counseling Outreaches to Prisons, IDP/Refugee, rehab Camps and a vibrant Counseling Clinic.
Dr Timi Oyebode has a Ph.D.,  M.A. and PGDE in Counselling. She holds a Master Practitioner Certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Trauma Recovery Therapy
She is a chartered Mediator & Conciliator with Institute of Charter Mediators &Conciliators (ICMN), member of International Association of Counselling(IAC), Member Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Member Association of Christian Counselors in Nigeria and President, African Network of
Professional Counselors. She is passionate about mental health, people having access to Professional Therapy work and also helping Counselors and Psychotherapists particularly in Africa to get a good grip on their practice.
She is a speaker at International and national conferences, trainings, meetings, TV & radio on Trauma and recovery. She shares her Inspiring journey in this interview.

Childhood Preparation

Yes there are so many things in my childhood that prepared me for what I do now including being a victim of trauma and child sexual abuse. Today as a survivor, I just want to see others live life free and fulfilled.  I am the eldest of 3 and only girl of my parents, grew up in Ibadan Oyo State and had all the security of an ideal family until tragedy struck first with sexual abuse and then the death of my father when I was 9 years old.  Actually the earliest memory of my sexual abuse was at age 7 with one of my uncles, this continued even after my dad’s death to include rape, abuse and sexual violation from other relatives and spiritual leaders as well.

I was traumatized, depressed and suicidal… although my immediate family members weren’t aware of many of my struggles as a young girl with low self esteem, battered mindset and oppressive nightmares. At some point, I started struggling with sexual choices like porn, masturbation, homosexuality etc. I knew I needed help but was lost on where and how to get it.

In October 2000, I had an encounter and my journey to healing, restoration & recovery began. In 2003, I was in for my first trial at therapy and I knew I needed to make this happen for some other hurting souls. Emotional wellness and healing is our rights. So after my first degree in English language, I went for a 2nd degree and PhD in Counselling.

Inspiration behind  ADI Nigeria

After working with Real Woman Foundation (Pst.Nike Adeyemi) for over 7 years as Head Counselor, I knew that there is a huge gap to the availability of professional mental/ emotional helpers and counselors, in Nigeria. Hence, the burden was laid on my heart to fill that void.

ADI was birth to aid the availability and promotions of therapeutic help, professional counseling and counseling education in Nigeria and Africa at large.

To enable those who desire to acquire training in the help professing but have little or no access to the western world where this is readily available.

The hope of bringing therapeutic help (as a means to deal with emotional and mental problems) closer to Africans was the paramount inspiration.

Being  an Emotional wellness, trauma and self- discovery expert, with 16 years experience

Though it had been quite a huge task to make our people accept and appreciate professional counseling, I can still say boldly, the journey had been engaging and fulfilling.  The ability to stand in the gap for many, bring healing, hope and restoration to victims (families, couples, individuals) of trauma, abuse and addiction had indeed been worthwhile.

Also having to see and hear the testimonies of many trained and professional counselors from ADI who are being able to confidently meet the emotional and mental needs of people in their communities while fulfilling their own dreams and desire  is incomparable. Counting the number of clients including victims of Depression, Trauma, Divorce, Suicidal Tendency, Anger, Addiction, Anxiety etc, who daily comes into our counseling centre and leaves with smiles on their faces, makes the journey indeed worthwhile.

Being a member of several organisations, the roles I play and how has it impacted me positively

I am a registered member of various counseling bodies both home and abroad; including Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Association of Christian Counselors in Nigeria(ACCNIG), Christian Counselling Educational Foundation(CCEF), International Association of Counselling (IAC), Institute of Chartered Mediators & Conciliators(ICMC) and African Network of Professional Counsellors (ANEPCO).  I am involved in all the associations, volunteering and actively serving in varying capacities.

I am the present President of Africa Network of Professional Counsellors, an organization focus on empowering counselors and psychotherapists across Africa, or working with Africans. Our primary goal is to be a rallying point and voice of reasoning/ professionalism for Psychotherapists & Counsellors across Africa

Why oppressed and damaged people sometimes do same to others

There are so many damaged, wounded or traumatized people in our world. Trauma means ‘wound’ – an inner/emotional wounds that plaques an individual, often due to an earlier or childhood abuse, oppression or damages and while there are various symptoms exhibited by victims of trauma, Dr. Cranes gave us about 9 responses or reactions associated with victims, amongst which is Trauma pleasuring.

Trauma pleasuring- a response which shows a victim of trauma taking pleasure in the pain caused to them and even seeing the pain in others gives them pleasure or momentary ease from their own pain. Hence it seems as if the initial victim is enjoying the pain or enjoys seeing others go through the same pain he/she went through. This is also known as sadistic personality disorder (SPD) in which, an individual display cruel behavior and enjoys inflicting pain on other. In other words, the suffering of others gives pleasure and observing that suffering feels good.

It is a form of mental illness often traceable to childhood trauma and those who exhibit this character are better perceived as ‘unwell’ rather than ‘wicked’ and should be encouraged to seek trauma therapy to aid their recovery.

Wellness nuggets for women who don’t know when to take a break and detox.

Keeping our emotional well-being balanced is no easy task… especially for women. Pressures and life demands can sometimes make it all hard to figure out. However, being able to manage your emotions and have healthy relationships with others is vital to your emotional wellness.

To every woman out there, struggling to keep it all together. Here are my advice

Know yourself. Know your thoughts and be able to identify your emotions and feelings. Take time to identify your triggers and know when to take a break. Get to know your emotional-self better, a visit to a counselor or use of self-help personality/temperament assessment online and even journaling of daily thoughts can help you.

Be positive. While we all get in a bad mood once in a while and there is nothing abnormal about that, constantly maintaining a negative attitude will only eat away at your internal happiness. If you keep this mind-frame long enough, nothing will ever seem like a good situation when you only focus on the bad.  Noticing how often you think or say negative things is the first step towards having a positive attitude. Then, work on limiting the amount of negative thoughts and speech you use every day. If you need help with this, try keeping a journal or asking a friend or family member to point out when you are being a “Negative Nacy”.

Ask for Help. If you are suffering from emotional distress, it’s okay to ask for help.  There are no prizes handed out for who can bury their emotions the most. It doesn’t make you stoic or strong to keep the emotional turmoil all to yourself. Talking to someone you trust can be enough to ease the negative emotions brought on by a bad day. If more help is needed, seeking the advice of a mental health professional doesn’t mean you are weak, it means you are strong enough to to take care of your mental health. And if you aren’t sure of where to find them, contact us at ADI Counselling.

Keeping Boundaries. Establishing boundaries with people in your life will contribute to your mental well-being. While it’s best to be nice to others in your life, there will be times when they cross the line and it’s up to you to tell them what is and isn’t acceptable for you. For example, it doesn’t make you a bad person to tell your neighbors that they should give you a call or a text instead of coming over unannounced. Advocating for yourself and your emotional needs will keep you from feeling overwhelmed by other people’s expectations and behaviors.

Self-Acceptance. Sometimes the expectations you set for yourself are more than the expectations others have for you. It’s okay to give yourself a break and let the self-judgment and self-doubt go. You won’t ever feel at ease in the world or with yourself if you are constantly talking negatively about yourself. If you wouldn’t let a stranger call you “stupid”, “ugly”or “not good enough” then you shouldn’t let yourself say those things. Just like with negative thoughts in general, becoming aware and then learning how to manage negative self talk is key to learning how to accept yourself.

Challenges

The major challenge we had over the years is getting Government approval and local accreditation… as the various government ministries claim their scope doesn’t cover what we do. After 5 years of requesting we finally got Lagos State to give an approval. It had also been challenging to make people view counseling as a career and that these professionals need to be paid for their services. People struggles to accept the need to pay for therapy. They feel it should be free.

Another challenge is access to resources and materials to aid and support our African professional counsellors.

Other projects and activities

I am a regular invited speaker at conferences& religious meetings.

I am an author

I run a quarterly mentoring forum

I run a periodic emotional empowerment meeting for women

I run a yearly retreat for couples

I run counseling and emotional wellness outreaches to schools, communities, prisons, IDP & Refugee camps.

Being a Woman of Rubies and more

I am a survivor, a pillar of strength, a conqueror and a woman on assignment… my life goal is simply to bring others out of the dungeon of pain and trauma to living life free, full and fulfilled.

For those who just walked out of abusive relationships

You are a survivor, the person who misused you never knew your worth as one of the best humans life could offer. So it’s not your loss but his/her.  Engage is some good self-love routine, find purpose and commit yourself to it.  Go into therapy and begin your journey into recovery.

The journey to healing may take a while and often better not walked alone, so be patient with yourself, get support and life would smile on you soonest.

For those who need certification

If you desire a certification in professional counseling or wants to know how to run a therapy business or just want to acquire more skills in Counselling. If  you need to see a professional counselor or needs help to deal with marital problems, teenage problems, emotional problems, trauma, addiction etc

Do not hesitate to contact us at ADI Counselling Centre, 25 Ladipo Kasumu street off Tinuade street opposite FirstBank Allen Ikeja, Lagos.

You can follow her on FB, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter as: @TimiOyebode