Addressing race in therapy is no longer a matter of choice for therapists

Humans differ and, as humans, we notice difference. Some of us consider race to be a defining characteristic - we see it as part of our identity and our experience informs us that others see this, too.

Some, in their effort to unite humanity, 'see' only the 'human race'. Then there are those who, perhaps, though not intentionally avoidant, do not 'see' race or colour due to their denial, or privilege. And there are some, who do not wish to describe themselves or others in racial terms. For such thinking can be limiting, it can divide us, it can bleed into the hierarchical system of patriarchy where race, skin tone, ethnicity, culture, class, gender and sexuality are all skewed to create an elite whilst denigrating all others.

It may indeed be argued that race is fake. It is indeed a construct - a counterfeit theory rooted in the idea that skin tone, features, ethnicity, culture and beliefs are grounds for denying certain individuals, groups, communities, nations, the right to respect and autonomy. For has it not been forged from a despotic desire to divide, conquer and rule.

But if race is not real, how come it has such impact? How come it divides us? And why do so many of us identify with it?

When you choose to 'see' race, inevitably, you see racism. Racism hurts and such pain is real and particular.

There is meaning in both the denial and acceptance of race. It's understandable that so many of us make a conscious choice, or a less conscious choice, to not 'see' race or colour. For when we choose to 'see' race, inevitably, we see racism. Racism hurts and such pain is real and particular.

The therapy profession is being made increasingly aware of the need to address the hurt caused by racism.

In the era of so-called 'wokeness', the therapy profession is being made increasingly aware of the need to address the hurt caused by racism. There

is currently a call for therapists

inexperienced in working with issues of race, to undergo relevant training, to ensure that they can meet the needs of clients whose racial and cultural identities differ from their own. It's no longer a matter of choice for therapists.

If you're experiencing difficulty around race...

Whether you're experiencing difficulties around racial identity, interracial relationship or discrimination, it's okay to seek support. Talking with the right therapist can help. When looking for a therapist, you may find it useful to consider the following:

• Is there a clear indication that the therapist includes working with race in their practice? Does this information appear on their website, blog or profile?

• Does the therapist have any experience or training in working with race issues?

• During your enquiry, let the therapist know that you wish to explore issues of race. How does the therapist respond? Can they be explicit?

• Is the therapist a member of a relevant organisation that supports the availability of therapy for those wanting to address issues of race?

If you're a therapist or other helping professional...

You may be interested in a programme I have developed for helping professionals wishing to explore the significance of race, culture and heritage in the context of their work. For more information, see the workshops page on my website. https://www.marypascallcounselling.com/creativespaces

Other useful links:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/28/finding-good-therapist-gender-race-cultural-competency

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/racism-and-mental-health/

https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/therapy-today/2018/october-2018/why-we-need-to-talk-about-race/

https://www.baatn.org.uk/about/

Race, Culture and Me - introductory workshops for helping professionals and their employers

Facilitative, interactive and experiential online workshops available this autumn 2021

In the current climate, the concept of race continues to be under the spotlight. Helping professionals are beginning to pay more attention to how this may be affecting their practice. Universities, colleges and schools are also becoming more aware of the impact of responses to race and culture on wellbeing and learning. Employers may be conscious of the impact on staff wellbeing linked to productivity.

I've developed a new series of online experiential workshops for helping professionals who wish to explore the impact of race and culture in their work. These workshops are experiential, interactive and reflective, tailored to each professional setting. Working with the transcultural relationship and from a person-centred perspective, I aim to create a safe and enabling space, where participants can explore the impact of their responses to race and cultural diversity with a view to establishing a more beneficial practice.

Working with the transcultural relationship and from a person-centred perspective, I aim to create a safe and enabling space, where participants can explore the impact of their responses to race and cultural diversity

Workshops offer • an unhurried and flexible programme • an opportunity to consider racial and cultural identity, and to share lived experience • grounding exercises to focus on inner responses • interactive materials as prompts for discussion • methods to encourage engagement in the process, such as sound, movement or mark-making • time to reflect on individual practice and supervision • a list of useful resources and a certificate of attendance on request, following completion of the workshop.

Emphasis is on individual process within a supportive group. Participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and self care around emotive themes. My role as facilitator is to guide the process to meet the objectives of the workshop as safely as possible and in a timely manner.

Workshops are 60 mins, 2-hour, 4-hour, half-day or full-day. Suitable for small groups of 4-10, to groups of up to 20 participants. Tailored to setting. Fees vary, please enquire. Available this autumn 2021.

For more information and to discuss your requirements, please email marypascall@yahoo.com or call 07753536146.

CBT or Person-centred Therapy? Do we need to question?

So, which is more effective - CBT or Person-centred Therapy? It's a question that practitioners have been debating for decades.

Many mental health services and their clients are of the opinion that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the best therapeutic approach for depression and anxiety. However, it would appear that this prevailing opinion may be due to CBT being the most researched form of therapy (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2018; 9: 4; published online 2018; © 2018 David, Cristea and Hofmann) and to the predominant use of CBT in the NHS (Mental Health Today, June 2017).

Now, with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's (BACP) recent announcement of the results of research into the efficacy of Person-centred Experiential Therapy (PCET) compared with CBT, such opinion looks set to change. For, according to the findings, PCET is as effective as CBT for depression.

'The most important finding from the study was that it found no evidence of any meaningful difference in the outcomes that participants achieved between PCET and CBT either at six months after entering the trial or at the end of their therapy. This finding held across a range of outcome measures and the evidence strongly suggests that PCET is as effective as CBT in the treatment of depression in the short-term' (BACP, May 14, 2021).

The hope of the BACP is that the findings, published in The Lancet Psychiatry ( May 14, 2021) will encourage the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to recommend a wider choice of talking therapies. This could see a change in the provision of counselling in the NHS.

The BACP funded research was led by the University of Sheffield. The BACP is a professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. The NHS offers CBT, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and talking therapies.

You can find out more about Person-centred Counselling, CBT and EMDR, using the following links:

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/person-centred-counselling/

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/#:~:text=Cognitive%20behavioural%20therapy%20(CBT)%20is,these%20to%20manage%20your%20problems.&text=%E2%80%9CYou%20and%20your%20therapist%20work,that%20will%20bring%20eventual%20change.%E2%80%9D

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing-emdr/#:~:text=EMDR%20(Eye%20Movement%20Desensitisation%20and,your%20mental%20health%20and%20wellbeing.&text=EMDR%20helps%20you%20to%20see,symptoms%20that%20you%20were%20suffering.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/counselling/

References:

https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2021/14-may-person-centred-experiential-therapy-is-as-effective-as-cbt/?_cldee=bWFyeV9wYXNjYWxsQHlhaG9vLmNvLnVr&recipientid=contact-d5d4b3b001dce71180f13863bb349ac0-db55b5a830c847709340c3b741a7df97&esid=4013a7a3-18b7-eb11-8236-000d3ab51ca1

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00083-3/fulltext

https://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/cbt-vs-counselling-what-s-next-for-the-mental-health-of-the-uk

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5797481/#:~:text=(2)%5D%3A%20(1)%20CBT,most%20researched%20form%20of%20psychotherapy.