INTEGRATING COUNSELLING PRACTICES INTO COMMUNITY- BASED DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISMS

Abstract

Community-Based Dispute Resolution (CBDR) mechanisms have long played a vital role in resolving conflicts at the grassroots level, particularly in contexts where formal justice systems are either inaccessible, inef icient, or culturally misaligned. The study uses qualitative design using secondary data as review in the paper. However, despite their cultural relevance and accessibility, CBDR processes often overlook the emotional and psychological dimensions that underpin many interpersonal and communal conflicts. Unaddressed trauma, grief, and mistrust can persist even after formal agreements are reached, undermining the long-term ef ectiveness of such resolutions. This theoretical paper argues for a more holistic approach to CBDR by integrating counselling practices grounded in conflict transformation theory and psychosocial support frameworks. Counselling-informed methods can help uncover underlying relational wounds, facilitate emotional expression, and promote individual and collective healing. Such integration does not replace traditional practices but rather complements them, enriching the resolution process by acknowledging and working through the psychological scars that fuel ongoing tensions. The paper suggested that CBDR should evolve into a more transformative model that not only resolves immediate disputes but also fosters resilience, emotional well-being, and a stronger social fabric in post-conflict societies.