2024 Forthcoming WORKSHOPS
SAVE THE DATE
FACILITATORS-DR ISHA MCKENZIE-MAVINGA & LYDIA PURICELLI SEPTEMBER 28TH 2024 Venue NAFSIYAT-LONDON The workshop is a response to the demand for a safe space to address the color conundrum arising from issues around shadism/colorism and the multiracial experience, from participants of the ‘Challenge of racism’ workshops created by Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga. This one day in person workshop for BIPOC participants will offer an inclusive space where participants will be assisted to unravel some of the nuances and intersecting oppressions associated with skin color oppression and multiracial relationships. The ethos of a black empathic approach will be used to encourage reflection and dialogue to enhance practice in this key area of anti-racist therapeutic and support work. |
The theme is based on concepts arising from my Doctoral research on opening a dialogue about racism in training and exploring an anti racist approach to therapeutic support. Participants can be assured of an opportunity to turn coping skills into supportive, intersectional ways of unblocking powerful feelings and create a framework for moving on personal and professional development in this area.We understand and work with the diverse curiosities and concerns about the challenge of racism and we encourage the development of a black empathic Approach: to address feelings and fears that might disempower ways of practicing and supporting others.Facilitators are personally trained by me in this approach. We support confidence and CPD to enhance training, practice and supervision towards an ethical, relational framework that includes, an appropriate, and manageable, level of compassion care and support about how racism impacts on ourselves and others. 
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To register: Contact administrator BAATN <[email protected]>
Workshops are presented by BPOC Masters trained by Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga in a Black Empathic, Approach to therapy, and the challenge of racism.
These workshops support participants to develop a framework for therapeutic understanding based on concepts such as Recognition Trauma and a black empathic approach presented in Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga’s books. Black Issues in the Therapeutic Process. [2009] The Challenge of Racism in Therapeutic Practice. [2016] www.ishamckenziemavinga.com
Participants will be offered an opportunity to discuss and explore an antiracist framework for therapeutic engagement, that offers clarity about white privilege and practicing a black empathic approach. This approach models use of dialogue about emerging from the impact of racism and internalised racism.
Dialogue and exploration will enhance Therapists’ and professionals’ insight and practice when working with the impact of racism in training, CPD and professional support. Participants will be supported to make the therapeutic space safe enough for a dialogue about racism.
The workshop runs from Friday 5-8.00PM to Saturday 9.30 AM to 5.00. Places are limited so book early. Next workshop Full attendance and participation essential.
Day 1- Identifying and emerging from the traumatic impact of racism.
Day 2 – Practicing a black empathic approach: Addressing Identity, Colourism and internalized oppression.
AN APPROPRIATE GAZE
One of the main challenges for therapists is addressing the powerful feelings that racism evokes and being able to accept that these are normal feelings about an abnormal situation, that we can work through and empower ourselves.
Participant feedback-
This workshop of Dr Isha's approach is essential in addressing racism and internalised racism as a matter of individual liberation and wider transformative justice.
You truly mastered the theme and the way of training. Although it was on-line, I was fully engaged from the beginning till end. You opened my eyes in many ways and I am going to continue to grow my awareness of my whiteness with other colleagues from this training group. Thank you!
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Master Facilitators of Challenge Workhops
Nerissa Mcdonald is an Integrative Child and Adolescent psychotherapist and Anti-Racism Trainer. She has a BA in Music Industry Management and Marketing, an MA in Integrative Child Psychotherapy which she gained at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE) and is also a Certified Cyber Therapist. She is a mother to two small children and works as a therapist in a Primary school in Islington. After graduating, Nerissa knew as a Black therapist she would need to develop and learn new skills to further help her clients especially those who identify as Black. Noticing themes of racism, oppression, isolation and hopelessness, Nerissa has been trying to find ways to support and give a voice to the feelings that for some have been suppressed. Nerissa is the founder of Awakening Our Roots.
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Sharon Hastings is an integrative counsellor, clinical supervisor and freelance trainer, with experience of counselling adults, children and young people. She has delivered a range of training courses in the areas of mental health, cultural awareness and competence to organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. She has worked as a Counselling Skills Tutor and has been an approved Mental Health First Aid Instructor for seven years. Sharon has previously worked in local government, providing policy and governance support to elected councillors, and in the NHS in community development, as well as supporting learning and development programmes for health professionals. More recently, she has worked with senior leaders in education settings, supporting them to develop a whole school approach to mental health. As a counsellor and trainer Sharon is passionate about supporting people on their journey of greater self-awareness, change and personal fulfilment. She also has a special interest in the exploration and application of Black and Womanist theological approaches to health and wellbeing. 
Moriam Grillo is an accredited art psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, working with a special focus on offering trauma-informed support to vulnerable women.
She graduated with an MA in Art Therapy from Hertfordshire University in 2018 and has been a visiting lecturer on the Art Therapy programme since then. Moriam is a practicing artist and founding director of the Butterfly Project; an Arts and Health organisation offering Art Therapy and arts engagement to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. This work supports her interest in collaborative and inclusive practices which offer greater access to the arts for all. Moriam is also curator of Sitting With Discomfort; a series of online talks exploring race, racism and racialised experience. 
Robert Sookhan is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist/ BACP Accredited Counsellor.
His counselling training was in Person-Centred theory; his psychotherapy training was focused in Archetypal, Post-Jungian and Transpersonal perspectives. Robert has extensive experience offering staff counselling within the NHS and within Education (counselling in schools, FE & HE). As well as supervising other counsellors’ clinical work in a number of support services, Robert currently teaches on the Integrative Counselling Diploma at City Lit Institute. Robert is a member of the Leadership & Advisory team for BAATN (Black, Asian & African Network) and has offered training/support through BAATN for the past ten years. Since 2018, under the guidance of Dr Isha Mckenzie- Mavinga Robert has been providing workshops/training within organisations that support their staff in developing skills about making a space ‘safe enough’ for a dialogue about racism, and how, within the context of therapy, professionals can work with their clients in terms of race and power issues associated with oppression and internalised oppression. |
Dee Morrison has extensive experience of working within transcultural and multi ethnic communities. Earlier on in her career she was engaged in projects in Hackney and has worked within inner city schools across London and Greater London. Currently working part time as a psychotherapist in the Health and Wellbeing multi disciplinary team at Centrepoint which includes working with refugees and asylum seekers. She is also an active member of The Mind Café, an organisation using a Christian cognitive approach, where she runs therapeutic art sessions. Focused on developing her expertise within the neurodiversity service delivery she has a clinical practice, supervvised by Autismcan Ltd.. Dee’s involvement with the pioneering work of Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga began in 2020. She is an experienced trainer and co facilitator of The Challenge of Racism. Dee is a poet and visual artist. 
Kemi Omijeh is a Psychodynamic trained Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Cultural Competency Trainer. Kemi predominantly works with children and young people and education institutions. She is committed to championing inclusive mental health practices and ensuring that we are not pathologizing children and young people’s racialised experiences. Kemi has extensive experience working with schools and within local authority settings to develop antiracist policies and practices. As a Black woman in leadership, Kemi has both lived experience and psychological understanding of the impact of navigating a predominantly white workspace. As a result, is passionate about providing awareness and tools to support and advance Black women in leadership roles without sacrificing their mental health and wellbeing. Kemi’s career includes being a qualified primary teacher, work with organisations such as Anna Freud, the NHS and as the Resident Therapist for the BBC Docuseries Mimi on a Mission. Kemi is Nigerian born, British raised, raising 2 of her own children and often speaks of the invisible labour of being a Black parent in a predominantly white society. Kemi was delighted to complete training with Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga on The Black Empathic Approach as the principles align with both her professional and personal values, believing the way forward is facilitating safe spaces to have honest conversation and challenge racist practices. 
Nikita Constant is a HCPC, BADth, BAATN registered Dramatherapist - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her focus embraces individuals’ cultural roots, connecting parts of ourselves that make us who we are. Our race, religion, family, beliefs, traditions and neurodiversity. She is the founder of Rooted Embrace Arts Creative Therapy.Nikita’s past research focuses on intergenerational trauma and archetypal grief that African descendants may hold. Following on from this, Nikita was the Researcher behind Agape Theatre’s Rhythm Cards. Nikita completed Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga’s Master training on the Black Empath Approach in 2023, and she is passionate about others experiencing revelations around internalised racism and how we explore race in clinical settings.In her therapeutic clinical practice, she works with young children in educational settings. In addition to providing creative therapeutic sessions for adults and children in community centres and offering wellbeing support for adults associated with theatre productions. |
Liz Mitchell worked both pastorally and as a teacher in secondary and specialist education settings for 16yrs before training as a relationally integrative psychotherapist. The challenge of racism workshop and training underlines Liz’s psychotherapeutic foundations along with interests in neurodiversity, spirituality, well-being, dreams and matters surrounding bereavement and the end of life. Liz has a private practice, volunteers with her local hospice and enjoys growing food. 
Gloria Boadi MA has been practicing as a Transcultural Psychotherapist/ Counsellor for over 11 years. She is a qualified systemic practitioner from Prudence Skynner, Clinic, St Georges Hospital in London. Gloria Boadi is accredited with BACP/ NCS and is a member of The British Psychological Society. She also works as a clinical supervisor and facilitates workshops on racism and anxiety. She has a wide experience working with the NHS across a variety of settings such as schools, prisons, probation services and GP surgeries. She has a strong interest in mindfulness and neuropsychology. She currently works in private practice in Greenwich and also with EAPs. She is certified to work with blind and partially sighted individuals and is currently an approved counsellor for RNIB.
Lydia Puricelli (aka Conscious Culture Coach) is an Anti-racist integrative transpersonal,transcultural trainee psychotherapist, coach, social justice activist, speaker, writer, author and trainer.She focuses on the unique challenges Black & People of Colour as well as other marginalised groups face in training institutions and the workplace. She also specializes in treating the Mental Health and Wellbeing of B&POC and LGBTQIA+ communities through Frontline therapy and Opening Doors London. Where she works as counsellor and advisor. She chairs the Student of Color and Allies Network at the Centre of Counselling and Psychotherapy Education where she works support students of colour in their training and challenge the institution on their oppressive teaching practices and curriculum. Lydia features in the book Therapy In Colour, Intersectional, Anti-racist and intercultural approaches by Therapists of Colour. Lydia has led and launched employee affinity networks for marginalised groups across global organisations including Investec, Fidelity and InterInvest - where she leads on Racial Equity in the Investment Industry.
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