Exploring therapists from the Black or African Diaspora’s lived experience of covert racism during their therapeutic training

Aims and purpose of research:

To find out and explore therapists from the Black or African Diaspora’s lived experiences of covert racism, that occurred during their therapeutic training. During this exploration, the additional hope is to also identify participants' meaning-making of their experiences. This research project is also a requirement for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy from NSPC and Middlesex University.

Participants and procedure

This research is seeking 8 participants who meet the following criteria listed below:

  • Being from and identifying as being part of the Black or African Diaspora (racial identity)
  • Completed a minimum 2-year BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) or BPS (British Psychological Society) accredited level 7 counselling qualification
  • A minimum of 3 years post-qualification
  • To have the belief that you had experienced covert racism during your counselling training

The research will take place in a private space/room in a therapy centre located in north west London (Re-Mind The Body Therapy Centre, 260a Kilburn Lane, London W10 4BA), where an individual 1 hour-long semi-structured interview will occur and be audio recorded. After the 1-hour long semi-structured interview, a debrief statement sheet will be passed on to you, and there will be up to 15 minutes to discuss your experience of the semi-structured interview for the provision of information. At this stage, you could then decide if you would like the option to have a further 15 minutes reserved for debriefing.

Data analysis

The semi-structured interviews will be transcribed, and confidentiality will be maintained, as all participants will be assigned a pseudonym. Relevant extracts from some interview transcripts will be used and referred to when writing up the research findings.

Contact details

If you would like further information, have any queries, or would in fact like to participate in this research please feel free to contact me, as my details are listed below. Once you have confirmed your interest you will be sent the research information sheet, Informed consent and debriefing sheet. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Researcher name: Ama Dankwa

Researchers email: ad1158@live.mdx.ac.uk

Please see flyer here.

Kind regards

Ama