Student Support Gatherings London

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These groups are for those of Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean heritage who are training to become psychotherapists and counsellors. These gatherings are also open to other people of colour who are affected by prejudice due to the colour of their skin and global white power.

Students who have completed their course and are working towards registration are also invited.

Meet the Student Gathering Facilitators

London Gatherings

Venue London Central:

Conway Hall 

25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL

6 min walk from Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines)

 Getting there

Time: 10:30 – 13:00

Gatherings are held on Saturdays, monthly

22 September 2018
27 October 2018
17 November 2018
8 December 2018
12 January 2019
9 February 2019
2 March 2019
6 April 2019
25 May 2019
29 June 2019
20 July 2019
24 August 2019 (orignally stated as the 17th Aug)

Training to become a psychotherapist or counsellor of colour presents us with the challenge of finding our voice within the silence of our minority experience. The BAATN Student Support Groups provide a space to tell our stories, clarify our dilemmas and be met with enthusiasm, dialogue and support.

Each group will be facilitated by our Support Group Facilitators who are all qualified and registered psychotherapists and have an African South Asian or Caribbean heritage. Facilitators have also signed up to BAATN’s Core Values statement. The group are open to all students whatever their theoretical orientation.

The group will be for a maximum of 12 people.

To find out about the kinds of themes or topics under discussion, as well as projects that individual groups are in the process of undertaking at some of the other BAATN gatherings, please take a look here.

“I was touched and encouraged to press forward on my course and brought to a place of deeper appreciation of my particular learning environment”

“I can see myself training in counselling with the support of such a group”

Feedback from the groups

Cost: This event is free to Student Members, £10 for non-members. For non-members booking reservations without payment will be held for 1 week before being offered to another person.

Booking: Only the next two upcoming dates (per venue) will be open for registration at any one time. Please do not attend the gathering if you have not booked as the groups are often full. You can also book a place by email: connect@baatn.org.uk or download the booking form.

If an event is full email connect@baatn.org.uk to join a waiting list. The places will be offered on a first come first serve basis but if a place becomes available just before the event is due to take place, everyone on the waiting list will be contacted via email, with the first person to respond being offered the place. 

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Feedback about the groups

Watch 5 students talk about their experience in training and in the Student Support Groups in our 5 Student Voices Video

Other comments from students and facilitators:
“it was a safe space for me to be vulnerable”
 “gives me the strength, inspiration and encouragement to continue and qualify”

“An inspiring gathering of counselling and psychotherapy students ranging from those who had just started their course to those who were nearing the end of their course and writing dissertations. The gathering included both newcomers and regulars. It was my pleasure to watch them listening to each other, validating each other’s experiences, sharing information and offering each other support.”  

“I totally enjoyed the support groups. I found them safe to disclose and share my experience in, which was a huge area of disappointment, judgement and pain for me whilst training. The group felt more like fellowship which had a beautiful aura about it and I found the input from my peers informative. I made some wonderful friends and have kept in contact with them ever since.”
 
“The theories were really interesting, but also a huge shock, we are not taught about the “real” impact for BME therapists and client relations on our course.”
 
“My experience of the groups was richly rewarding and very unique. Hearing others experience of training to be counsellors or personal brought new things into my awareness. The group itself being Black and Asian was incredibly new to me and hit so many parts of me that others have difficulties understanding.” 
 
“The group I attended provided a lot of theoretical thinking. I particularly enjoyed culture scripts and the work of Isha Mavinga-Mckenzie on Recognition Trauma, which supported me in training. All handouts and book recommendations led me to further awareness of my own process and clients.” 
 
“I found it very useful and supportive to cope with what I perceived to be defensive behaviour amongst white peers when race was raised for discussion, and I felt myself isolated and seen as a ‘troublemaker’ as I was determined that race would not be brushed under the carpet.  It helped me to deal with my anger, stay reasonably objective and understand that white reaction in my classes was not personal. It was also useful to learn from the facilitators that the way race was responded to or for that matter, taught on courses, has not changed much in the last 20 years or so.”
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