ABOUT THE
BOOK
Let’s Heal Together!
Growing up, I often heard that therapy wasn’t for Africans. It was seen as something only needed by people in the West. I believed this for years, but when I faced my own struggles, I started looking for answers.
That’s when I remembered the “arbre à palabre,” a place where my ancestors would gather to talk and heal together. I understood that therapy had never been a foreign element to us-it had always been part of who we are.
The process of writing this book gave me an opportunity to share what I learned and to encourage others to seek help without shame. I write because I want people to know that they are not alone, and healing is possible for everyone.
Therapy Has Always Been a Black Thing
A powerful reminder of how African traditions have always included ways to solve problems together and heal emotionally. The book centers on the “arbre à palabre,” or tree of discussion, where communities would gather to talk, resolve conflicts, and support one another.
Fab Douei explains how these practices relate to modern therapy and why it’s important to reconnect with these roots. Whether you are new to the idea of therapy or looking to understand its deeper connections to culture, this book is written for you.
OUR DAILY BLOGS
Healing Under the Tree: Lessons from Africa's Arbre à Palabre
Discover how the Arbre à Palabre embodies African wisdom for collective healing and conflict resolution.
Therapy in African Tradition: Why the Arbre à Palabre Matters Today
Explore how the Arbre à Palabre connects ancient African traditions to modern mental health practices.
From Stigma to Strength: Reclaiming Therapy in Black Communities
Break the stigma and rediscover therapy’s deep roots in African cultural practices like the Arbre à Palabre.
The Lost Roots of Therapy: Bridging African Traditions with Modern Practices
Trace the connections between Africa’s Arbre à Palabre and today’s therapy to reclaim communal healing.
