Student Support Gatherings

These groups are for those of African, Asian and Caribbean heritage who are training to become psychotherapists and counsellors. Students who have completed their course and are working towards registration are also invited.

Saturday Dates: Mostly on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

Meet the Student Gathering Facilitators

“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”

London Gatherings

Venue North London: The Redmond Community Centre,
Kayani Avenue, N4 2HF Getting there
Venue South London: effraspace, 21 Effra Parade,
London SW2 1PX Getting there
Time: 10:30 – 13:00

Gatherings are monthly

23 Sep 2017 – South London
14 Oct 2017 – North London
11 Nov 2017 – South London
9 Dec 2017 – North London
13 Jan 2018 – South London
10 Feb 2018 – North London
10 Mar 2018 – South London
14 Apr 2018 – North London
12 May 2018 – South London
9 Jun 2018 – North London
14 Jul 2018 – South London
11 Aug 2018 – North London

Birmingham Gatherings

Venue: Carrs Lane Conference Centre,
Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX Getting there
Time: 10:00 – 12:30

Gatherings are bimonthly

7 October 2017
2 December 2017
3 February 2018
28 April 2018
2 June 2018
4 August 2018

Training to become a Black or Asian psychotherapist or counsellor presents us with the challenge of finding our voice within the silence of our minority experience. The BAAT Network Student Support Groups provide a space for students with an African, Asian or Caribbean heritage to tell their stories, clarify their 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 Asian, African or Caribbean heritage. Facilitators have also signed up to BAATN’s Core Values and Beliefs statement. The groups will be open to all students whatever their theoretical orientation.

The group will be for a maximum of 16 people

Why have Separate Groups for Black and Asian Therapists?

Feedback from the groups

Cost: This event is free to Student Members, £10 for Network members. For Network 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. 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:

“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.”