In 2024, I joined the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) as a consultant psychotherapist and trainer. It felt like stepping fully into my purpose especially after a much-needed career break. I’ve always been a self-driven, passionate psychologist who thrives on getting things moving. CVT’s thoughtful orientation process made the transition smooth, and I was eager to bring my decade of experience in trauma-focused mental health to this new space.
A few months in I realized something: passion alone wasn’t going to be enough. This article reflects my journey so far, winding but hopeful, and the lessons I’ve learned while navigating partnerships, practicing self-care, and holding on to hope even when the path was unclear.
A few months in I realized something: passion alone wasn’t going to be enough.”
-Faith Mulungi, MSc. Clinical Psychology
The CVT Myanmar (also known as Burma) Initiative focuses on supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) in Mae Sot, Thailand, a city located close to the border with Myanmar where there is a large population of refugees who have fled conflict and persecution. My role is to support our partner CSOs as they provide care to trauma survivors, with a focus on effective, trauma-informed mental health services and capacity building practices that enhance sustainability. As inspiring as this goal is, implementing it came with many unknowns.
Early on, I had several introduction meetings with potential partners. Some conversations were warm and hopeful only for follow-up attempts to go unanswered. Others were skeptical, questioning how CVT’s approach would complement their own. And there were those who wanted to collaborate but couldn’t find the time or structure to accommodate a joint effort.
The environment itself made things even trickier. Mae Sot already hosts many foreign organizations, some of which have left a questionable legacy. One example I encountered involved an “expert” in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, a process used in psychotherapy to help with traumatic memories) offering therapy without recognized certification. This deeply unsettled local practitioners, who felt that on top of all the trauma their communities had endured, they were also being taken advantage of by outsiders claiming expertise.
Despite the obstacles, I eventually secured meetings with a few local organizations. These conversations, though slow to materialize, allowed me to share what CVT offers, while also learning about the work already happening in the area. This active listening helped me document real barriers to partnership, which later fed into a useful project toolkit. It was a reminder that moving at the pace of the environment isn’t a delay – it’s wisdom.
One shift I made was to engage partners without a fixed agenda, simply checking in on how things were going. While not everyone replied, those who did helped shape better engagement strategies. For example, after realizing internet access is inconsistent and email is not a preferred mode of communication, I started sending direct text messages instead. Attending local network meetings also helped raise CVT’s presence in the area in subtle, consistent ways.
Through this, I’ve learned the art of slowing down and managing expectations. Some partners expressed interest but wanted financial support. Others reached out enthusiastically, only to fall silent later. It became important to strike a balance between staying in touch and not overwhelming anyone, with just enough presence to remain available, but not intrusive.
One particular organization was interested in a long-term partnership and made that clear from the beginning. While their mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) work was impressive, our project only had a few months remaining in the contract. Even though CVT might continue working with them in the future, it didn’t feel right to push for a partnership now. Giving them the choice to opt in or out without pressure felt like the more respectful approach.
Without trust, even the best ideas fall flat.”
This experience also highlighted a common question I heard: “How long are you here?” Many local partners equate longer presence with stability, commitment and credibility. CVT has been fortunate to secure short-term funding from dedicated private foundations to launch this project, but the long-term funding environment remains more uncertain than ever before. This is particularly challenging for local organizations, and also limits CVT’s capacity to support them with long-term commitments, an essential component of trust and relationship-building. When we can only communicate a short project timeline, this doesn’t work in anyone’s favor.
The most important lesson I’ve learned so far is that building trust while maintaining flexibility to respond to the needs of local groups is more powerful than having the best program structure or technical expertise. In a 2023 study by P.A. Hancock and colleagues, trust was found to be a predictive factor in how well projects are implemented. That aligns closely with what I’ve seen. Without trust, even the best ideas fall flat. Additionally, I learned to never underestimate the power of a professional community. The random talks I had with colleagues in similar roles provided motivation and techniques which enabled me to keep going.
. . . I’ve learned that to truly build impactful partnerships we need realistic timelines and space for relationships to grow naturally.”
In working with civil society as they are rebuilding and reestablishing the foundations of their communities after devastating trauma, I’ve learned that to truly build impactful partnerships we need realistic timelines and space for relationships to grow naturally. That means leading with presence, empathy and humility and not just strategy. This journey is a reminder that meaningful work often happens in the in-between moments. The check-ins, the listening, the long silences that turn into slow but sure connections.
Vision may feel bigger than structure at times, but if we are patient, grounded and relationship-centered, it’s possible to build something lasting.
About The Author
Faith Mulungi
