A toolkit for psychological therapies training is being launched by the Coalition for Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practice, to help the UK counselling and psychotherapy sectors better understand and address race and diversity.
Authored by two integrative counsellors and psychotherapists, and founders of Routes Therapeutic Consultancy, ‘Race is complicated’ draws on tried and tested theories and practices to offer up-to-date guidance, rooted in the modern world. Following consultation with training providers, tutors and programme leaders, the guide aims to support three key areas of course provision: individual tutors, training programmes and institutions (senior leadership).
Danielle Osajivbe-Williams, co-author of the toolkit, said:
“The toolkit will help institutions and professionals free themselves from any expectations on this topic. The vision is to safeguard anti-oppressive practice. We relate, inform, educate and challenge the status quo by improving working cultures.”
The toolkit is an important step in increasing diversity in the counselling, psychotherapy and psychology professions by challenging the whole sector to be more inclusive. The interactive PDF has practical tools and approaches to use in the right settings. From how to set up anti-racism working groups and staff support groups, to addressing language, to encouraging trainees to explore their own conceptions. It will be promoted throughout organisations involved in the delivery of courses in psychological therapies, all the way through to organisations providing the course accreditations and membership bodies.
Marcelline Menyié, co-author of the toolkit, said:
“Let’s challenge ourselves – what do race and diversity mean to us? Why does it make us uncomfortable? How can we address it in counselling and psychotherapy? We are inviting you to explore introspectively, reflect and contribute towards change.”
Join the FREE online launch event on Thursday 19 October 2023 at 4-5pm. MC Myira Khan, founder of the Muslim Counselling and Psychotherapist Network, and authors Marcelline Menyié and Danielle Osajivbe-Williams from Routes Therapeutic Consultancy will talk about how to use the toolkit, how it came to be and the impact of the toolkit on the future of psychological therapies. The webinar includes a Q&A where you’ll get the chance to ask the authors any questions you may have about the toolkit.
Register on the Place2Be website: https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/our-policies/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/registration-for-race-is-complicated-a-toolkit-for-psychological-therapies-training/
The Coalition for Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practice is a group of organisations with a shared mission to improve diversity within the counselling, psychotherapy and psychological therapy professions. Its current members are: Place2Be, Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC), Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT), Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network (MCAPN), National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility (PCSR) and UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Together, they serve to improve the mental health of millions of people in the UK.
NCPS CEO, Jyles Robillard-Day, says:
“It's with genuine pride that we present this newly developed toolkit. NCPS and Place2Be were the original co-founders of the Coalition for Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practice, and we're so delighted to see where this journey has taken us. This toolkit isn't just an instructional guide - it represents something more than that: our shared commitment to advancing inclusive and anti-oppressive training. In a practical sense, the toolkit offers workable insights and strategies for training providers that we believe will re-shape the training landscape, creating a more inclusive and diverse training provision. We're optimistic about the tangible change it could create, and will do everything we can to support our training providers in making best use of the toolkit. There is much changing in the world of counselling and psychotherapy at the moment - from growing standardisation, to the use of Artificial Intelligence in the mental health sphere, to the social, cultural, and financial pressures placed on our therapists - and with this toolkit, whatever happens, we hope that greater inclusivity will be a core part of our journey. My message to training providers - those shaping the future generation of counsellors and psychotherapists - is this: I implore you to make full use of this resource. As the authors say, together, we can challenge the status quo and set a new standard for our industry.”