Ncazelo Mlilo, a world-renowned story therapist and psychosocial expert in South Africa, has been named the honorable woman who will change the global awards.
The award is like the Grammy Awards, which recognizes women from around the world who do amazing work, making positive differences in a variety of industries and fields, including business, sustainability, leadership, health, education, product development, innovation, and technology, according to a statement from Fora, a psychosocial organization.
Johannesburg-based Mlilo has been selected in two categories: the People’s Choice Award for Non-Profit and Social Enterprises, and The Women in Therapy and Counseling Services Award.
This recognition celebrates groundbreaking work in mental health, the development of afrocentric, culturally sensitive narrative-based methodologies, and dedication to empowering communities around the world.
The awards ceremony will take place during the summit held in London, England from April 2-3, 2025.
Mlilo has over 25 years of experience in trauma counseling.
She has worked with children, youth, women, families and communities to address the effects of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence (GBV), poverty, conflict and other difficulties.
Mlilo has created the Tree of Life (TOL) methodology currently in use in more than 60 countries, including the US, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Iran, India, Germany, Japan, Sweden and across Africa.
She has developed other methodologies such as Courrage, the story of the Suitcase project.
Mlilo trains more than 1,000 mental health practitioners worldwide each year, with her work reaching an estimated 100,000 people each year.
She was also a prominent keynote speaker at international conferences, including the Trust’s Group Story Practice Conference held in Australia in 2024, and spoke about the suitcase story held in Australia in 2023.
As a result, her job is to selective interventions at these global institutions, such as the Dulwich Center Foundation in Australia and the NHS Foundation Trust in the UK.
