Doris Atayi has worked at UniSey since 2012. Her first appointment was to coordinate Student Support Services across the university and to provide individual counselling sessions for students. In September 2014 she transferred to a full-time Lecturing post, to contribute to the launch and development of the university’s new Social Science degree. The programme calls for the teaching of counselling skills theory and practice, and Doris is ideally placed to provide this.

Doris first obtained a Certificate in Integrative Counselling at Newbold College, UK, followed by a Certificate in Health & Social Care from the Open University, UK. She then returned to Newbold College to achieve an Advanced Certificate in Integrative Counselling. In 2008, Doris was awarded a Master of Arts (Counselling) degree from the University of East Anglia, UK.

Before joining UniSey, Doris gained practical experience in counselling as well as teaching on a part-time basis. She was for two years employed at the then Seychelles Institute of Management as a Research Assistant, where she undertook a range of research-related tasks. Her practical experience included working in the UK as a counsellor/psychotherapist for an organisation serving the needs of young people between the ages of 12 and 25. In Seychelles she offered psychological therapeutic services to patients referred by a private clinic. She also worked as a Senior Probation Officer for the Ministry of Social Development.

Doris has also undertaken a variety of training programmes, projects and activities. For instance, she led an investigation into the situation of families and support systems in Seychelles; she facilitated a workshop on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to school counsellors and teachers; and she offered another workshop on the subject of stress management.