# Can trained lay or non-specialist workers deliver psychological interventions in Kenya?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-trained-lay-or-non-specialist-workers-deliver-psychological-interventions-in-kenya
For: Clinicians | Mental health care | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 8 November 2026

**Answer:** Yes, with training and supervision. The Ministry of Health has a National Framework for Implementation of Problem Management Plus (PM+), a WHO intervention for adults with distress delivered by trained helpers. WHO recommends routine supervision, for example weekly two-hour group sessions, and a route to contact supervisors urgently in a crisis. Kenyan trials show group interpersonal therapy delivered by non-specialists can be effective. Licensed clinicians remain responsible for assessment, risk and referral.

Sources: Ministry of Health, Kenya: https://mental.health.go.ke/resources - World Health Organization: https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/b3f85b53-94f4-41ac-a7dc-9596d19c1b57/content - JAMA Network Open / PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42301714

## Related questions

- [Are the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 validated in Kiswahili and for Kenyan populations?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/are-the-phq-9-and-gad-7-validated-in-kiswahili-and-for-kenyan-populations)
- [How can therapy be culturally adapted for clients in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-therapy-be-culturally-adapted-for-clients-in-kenya)
- [How should a therapist end therapy ethically?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-a-therapist-end-therapy-ethically)

---

**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

- Book a demo: https://tymirahealth.com/demo
- Contact: https://tymirahealth.com/contact (info@tymirahealth.com)
- All resources: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/all