The Coalition for Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practice is launching a toolkit for psychological therapy training to help the UK counselling and psychotherapy sectors better understand and address race and diversity.
Authored by two integrative counsellors, 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 important 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 setting up anti-racism working groups and staff support groups to addressing language to encouraging trainees to explore their conceptions. It will be promoted throughout organisations involved in delivering courses in psychological therapies, all the way 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 invite you to explore introspectively, reflect and contribute to change.”
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 improve the mental health of millions of people in the UK.
Dr Niki Cooper, chair of the Coalition and Clinical Director at Place2Be, said: “The coalition’s focus is to promote inclusive and anti-oppressive professional training as part of a greater vision to address further barriers to inclusive practice. The toolkit will support this by developing skills, knowledge, and understanding to deliver inclusive counselling and psychotherapy training.
“We are excited to start seeing it in action and believe this is a significant step towards promoting better practices and broadening the diversity of the professions at every stage, from students to service providers and qualified professionals. On behalf of the coalition, I invite all individuals involved in training the next generation of counsellors and psychotherapists to use this guide and shake up the status quo.”
