Dr. Susan Gitau is a distinguished Counseling Psychologist with a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Chuka University, Kenya. She brings over 20 years of experience in mental health, trauma counseling, and community development across Africa and internationally. Her journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and Economics from the University of Nairobi (1996), followed by a Diploma in Counseling Psychology from the Kenya Institute of Professional Development (2001-2003), and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Daystar University (2006).

Dr. Gitau completed her PhD coursework and practicum at Kenyatta University (2008-2014) before earning her doctorate by thesis from Chuka University (2014-2018). Her doctoral research focused on trauma recovery for Internally Displaced Persons following Kenya's 2007/08 post-election violence, which later became a published book. She has pursued extensive professional training including Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) certification in the USA, Cross Cultural Counseling at Mid America Nazarene University, and Competency Based Assessment through the Mediation Training Institute International.

Her commitment to excellence led her to academia, where she has served as a Lecturer in the Counseling Psychology Department at Africa Nazarene University since 2011. In this role, she serves as a student mentor, academic advisor, and Patron of the Trauma & Crisis Response Club. She teaches Trauma Counseling, Practice of Counseling, Multicultural Counseling, Psychological Testing & Assessment, and Marriage and Family Therapy. She also serves as Research Coordination and Chair of the Counseling Psychology department.

Dr. Gitau is the Founder and Executive Director of three organizations: the International Professional Counselors Centre (IPCC) since 2006, the Susan Gitau Counseling Foundation, and the Africana College of Professionals (ACOP). She is also a Senior Accredited Supervisor with the Kenya Counseling & Psychological Association (KCPA), having been awarded the highest level of counselor supervisor status in February 2021.

Driven by a vision to make quality mental health care accessible to all, Dr. Gitau leads the Susan Gitau Counseling Foundation (SGCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing professional counseling services, community outreach, and mental health education across Kenya. Under her leadership, the foundation has adopted Kianjau Primary School to enhance academic performance through counseling, coaching, and mentorship, and she has been a lead volunteer consultant with the Kenya Defence Forces since 2012, focusing on combat trauma, secondary PTSD, clinical supervision, and mental health self-care training.