Open Training Event
A Black Empathic Approach to Therapeutic Practice and Relational Support (From the
writings of Dr Isha Mckenzie Mavinga)
Engaging with Oppression in Practice, Supervision and Training
Friday 15th May 2026, 5.00pm – 8.00pm (online) &
Saturday 16th May 2026, 9.30am – 5.00pm (online)
Outline
This workshop is presented by BPOC Masters trained by Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga in a ‘Black Empathic approach’ to therapy and the challenge of racism. This training is currently running online.
The workshop supports participants to develop a framework for therapeutic understanding, exploration and support, based on a black empathic approach, by exploring and supporting the impact of racism as presented in Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga’s books – Black Issues in the Therapeutic Process (2009), The Challenge of Racism in Therapeutic Practice (2016) and A Black Empathic Approach to Psychotherapy (2025). www.ishamm.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 will provide a space:
- To explore the context and content of empathy when facing the challenge of racism in professional practise, training, supervision, coaching and learning forums
- Develop compassionate conversations that support anti-racist practice in therapeutic relationships and relational contexts
- Explore power dynamics assimilation and humiliation that perpetuate silence
- Embrace and support the nuances of mixed racial heritages shadism and colorism
- Challenge colonial influences that perpetuate misunderstanding and undermine cultural identity’s
- Engage with the intersectionality of anti-racist practise and internalised racism
- Untangle the intergenerational traumatic impact of racism on practitioners and clients and develop an appropriate gaze
- 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 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 ourselves and others
Full attendance and participation on both days is essential.
Who should attend the training?
The workshop is open to therapists, mental health specialists, supervisors, trainers and students who want to learn more about developing support work in this area.
Open training and event – open to those of all heritages, including therapy professionals, students, those in the helping professions and members of the public.
Facilitators
Moriam Grillo and Sharon Hastings
Moriam and Sharon are BIPOC Masters trained in the Black empathic approach to therapy by Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga
Venue
(Online) – Meeting via Zoom. Zoom is free to download and use. For more information about Zoom click here.
Programme
Friday 15 May 2026 (online)
5:00pm – 8.00pm – Identifying and emerging from the traumatic impact of racism.
Saturday 16 May 2026 (online)
9.30am – 5.00pm – Practicing a black empathic approach: Addressing Identity, Colourism and internalised oppression.
Cost
Early bird discount (available for bookings made before 30 April 2026):
£170 for Members
£145 for Student members
£185 for non-members
£235 for organisations
Standard tickets (from 1 May 2026):
£180 for Members
£155 for Student members
£195 for non-members
£250 for organisations
Booking Conditions
- Bookings can be made any time up until Wednesday at 5 pm before the day of the event.
- Only the next two upcoming dates will be open for registration at any one time.
- If you have difficulty booking, email the events administrator
Full payment will need to be made to guarantee a place.
“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!”
“A powerful, informative and engaging workshop delivered in a contained, safe and respectful environment. I came away with a new found confidence to work with the challenge of racism in therapeutic practice.” Patricia
“The concept of a Black Empathic approach should be imbedded in all counselling courses.” Collette Xavier. Student.
“The weekend was a mixture of emotions and learning; at times comforting to see and hear my black peers, their struggles and experiences of racism resonate within me and disturbing having to revisit old wounds and stay with them. I am hungry for more spaces in which to explore deeper. thank you Isha for navigating this space with grace and groundedness.”
“This training was an opportunity to think deeply about racism in a space with likeminded people. It gave me great clarity on the sensitivity and congruence needed to navigate conversations involving racism in the therapeutic space.”
“Dr. McKenzie-Mavinga’s training was deeply moving and will impact on my body and mind in an ongoing way. She introduced her concepts of ‘Recognition trauma’ and a Black Empathic Approach in a really clear and practical way.”
“This was a powerful and moving opportunity to begin to develop language to introduce dialogue around racism into the therapy room.”
“The course was a powerful experience and its impact will stay with me. The facilitators worked with the painful and complicated feelings brought up with clarity, grace and compassion.”
“Let us continue on pushing this dialogue towards more equitable therapeutic spaces.”