She Writes Woman Investigates Imposter Psychologist, Cautions Public.
Header with face of Faiz Muhammad with key details from the press release below together with “Did you engage him as a therapist or pay him for services? Email ethics@shewriteswoman.org”
We wish to inform all our stakeholders and the general public that a Faiz Muhammad (sometimes known as Faiz Muhammad Ali or Faiz Muhammad Aliyu) who was employed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of our Organisation, She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative, from August 2021 to July 2022 is no longer an employee of the organisation.
As the COO, Faiz Muhammad’s job description was limited to managing the team, partnerships and programmes, and his contract did not involve any form of therapy/counselling/psychological interaction.
However, recent reports as well as findings uncovered by the Organisation show that Faiz Muhammad leveraged the reputation of the organisation and its official channels to, without any authority nor permission, charge fees for the free services the Organisation gives out and collect monies (which he diverted into private bank accounts) from beneficiaries of She Writes Woman under the unsubstantiated guise of being a therapist - an act that could endanger the beneficiaries’ lives and wellbeing
In line with our values and duty of care, She Writes Woman has petitioned the FCT police to investigate and immediately apprehend Faiz Muhammad on grounds of suspected fraud, obtaining under false pretence and possible forgery amongst other offences.
We urge the general public to play an active role in protecting people that access mental healthcare by sharing this disclaimer and caveat emptor to those who they think may be vulnerable. It is our collective responsibility to keep an eye out for those who threaten the safety of mental health support and seek to prey on the vulnerabilities of people.
As She Writes Woman, we advise all our stakeholders to refrain from conducting any dealings with Faiz Muhammad who is no longer a staff of the organisation.
We call on all who may have made payment to or engaged in any counselling, psychological or therapeutic relationships with Faiz Muhammad to alert She Writes Woman immediately by sending an email to ethics@shewriteswoman.org
For immediate mental health support, please call our 24/7 toll-free mental health helpline on 0800 800 2000 to speak with qualified counsellors.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SWW DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. OUR HELPLINE AND TELETHERAPY SERVICES ARE FULLY DONOR-FUNDED.
Signed,
The Board and Management,
She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative
