Black Women Therapists One-Day Online Conference 2024

Welcome to the 1st ever BWTOC UK. Hosted by Mary Pascall and Tonia Mihill, in collaboration with onlinevents.co.uk, This essential event is a celebration of the contributions of Black women therapists practising in the UK.

The theme for the conference is borrowed from your BWTOC UK 24 Host Mary Pascall’s popular online workshop – ‘Black Women Therapists: Challenging the Strong Black Woman Archetype’, part of Mary’s ‘Race, Culture and You' collection.

Come meet some of the most innovative Black women practitioners, service providers and their supporters in the UK, offering an array of experiential workshops challenging the ‘Strong Black Woman’ schema. This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to connect, share experiences and learn from one another – in a spirit of care and celebration.

Join BWTOC UK 24 innovator and Host Mary Pascall (Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, AntiRacism Advocate and Group Facilitator, Tutor and Mentor) and Co-Host Tonia Mihill (Anti-Racism Trainer, Author and Head of Therapeutic Services) for this essential event in celebration and support of Black women therapists in the UK.

About the Conference:

Are you a Black woman therapist or trainee therapist based in the UK? Do you support the work of Black women therapists in supervision, training, mentoring, coaching, in the public sector or in private practice? Then here’s a must for your diary.

You will be invited to select from an array of experiential workshops, facilitated by some of the most innovative Black women practitioners, service providers and their supporters, in the UK. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, share experiences and learn from one another.

The day will include spaces for:

• Self-care – explore the benefits of a range of therapies – poetry, yoga, music, drama, mindfulness and more.
• Showcasing – a spotlight on the therapeutic approaches of Black women practitioners in the UK.
• Discussion – of theory, practice and what it means to be a Black woman therapist in the UK.
• Networking – form new connections, promote your practice, share ideas and build a community.

Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?

• Black women therapists or trainee therapists and their supporters.

Please note: BWTOC UK 24 promotes self-care. There will be a full lunch break and provision made for rest and relaxation. Our Round-table Open Forum is offered as a ‘dropby’ session.

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Anti-Racism Advocate and Group Facilitator, Tutor, Mentor

Hello and welcome. I’m Mary, your BWTOC UK 24 Host. I’m a psychotherapeutic counsellor, group facilitator and mentor in private practice, registered with the British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and with the Black African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN). I’m also an associate tutor for the post-graduate diploma in person-centred counselling at The Norwich Centre, Norfolk, UK. Specialising in working with transcultural issues through a person-centred lens, my approach is relational, racial justice allied and social justice allied. Within my practice, I offer counselling for adults, mentoring for counselling trainees and, as a group facilitator, a tailored programme of online and in-person workshops offering an enabling space, in which participants can explore the impact of race and culture on well-being within the current climate, the context of their work, training or supervision. The theme for BWTOC UK 24 is borrowed from my online workshop – ‘Black Women Therapists: Challenging the Strong Black Woman Archetype’, which was first delivered delivered on the onlinevents.co.uk cpd platform in February 2023. I’m delighted to be collaborating with colleagues, supported by onlinevents.co.uk, for this 1st Ever conference. I look forward to meeting with you.

Anti-Racist Trainer, Author, Head of Therapeutic Services

Hello, I’m Tonia, Co-Host for BWTOC UK 24. I’m a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited counsellor and I work as head of therapeutic services at MAP, a youth charity based in Norfolk, UK. I qualified as a person-centred counsellor in 2007 and have devised, and delivered, anti-racist training since the mid-nineties. I am a member of the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) with whom I have been a mentor since 2016. My counselling practice is situated in the context of a lifelong, active commitment to personal and community development, global justice and equality. I am author of the chapter ‘Effective AntiRacist Practice in Counselling and Therapy Training’ in 'Therapy in Colour: Intersectional, AntiRacist and Intercultural Approaches by Therapists of Colour’ (2023, Jessica Kingsley Publishers). I’m pleased and excited to be Co-Host for the 1st Ever BWTOC UK. I’ll also be facilitating a 45- minute Salon, championing Rest as Resistance.

Website | https://www.map.uk.net | https://www.baatn.org.uk/

Counsellor, Life Coach, Poetry Therapist, Author

Hello, I’m Charmaine, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited counsellor, life coach and certified poetry therapist (International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy, USA) based in London, UK. I have worked in the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector for over 20 years, and as director of Panoramic Counselling & Wellbeing, a company providing trauma-informed counselling and holistic service to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. My work has included the implementation of therapeutic writing programmes in a wide range of settings – clinical, institutional and community. Following the M**der of George Floyd, I have co-led a series of therapeutic workshops entitled ‘Every Poem Breaks a Silence’, with writer and poetry therapist Dr Victoria Field. I am also author of the poetry well-being workbook ‘Writing for Resilience: Finding the Courage to Bounce Back’ (2021). For BWTOC UK 24, I am contributing a 30-minute Poetry Word Play Studio, plus a 90-minute Seminar offering you a Poetry Therapy Experience.

Website | https://charmainepollardcounselling.co.uk/

Book | Writing for Resilience: Finding the Courage to Bounce Back

Music Therapist, Primary School Teacher, Private Tutor

Hello, I’m Natalie. I’m a registered Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) practitioner, recently qualified as a music therapist in private practice, based in Nottinghamshire, UK. I am also a primary school teacher, private tutor and music therapist for Music Works, a UK registered charity. Since completing my MA in Music Therapy at the University of South Wales, UK, my work has been predominantly with children and young adults with special educational needs (SEN). I also support children in mainstream schools who have experienced trauma. I’m passionate about Culturally Sensitive Music Therapy and I believe that music therapy should be accessible to all – all cultures, all backgrounds. My approach puts the client’s needs at the forefront, working with their cultural references. My instrument is keyboard/piano and I have performed in churches, concerts and accompanied gospel choirs. I’m excited to be participating in BWTOC UK 24, offering a 30-minute Studio exploring Facilitating Music Therapy as a Black Woman and co-facilitating with colleague Leah Inman for a 45-minute Salon – Music Matters: Silenced Identities.

Integrative Psychotherapist, Mindfulness Teacher, Supervisor, Counselling Training Lead

Hello, I’m Hycinth, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) registered Integrative Psychotherapist, MBCT registered mindfulness teacher, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction(MBSR) registered and British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA) registered mindfulness practitioner in private practice. I have over 30 years experience of working within psychological disciplines. My work incudes my role as Head of the Diploma in Counselling at The Minster Centre, London, UK, in addition to supervisory roles at Headstrong Counselling and The Mary Ward Centre, London. Having trained with the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) and Oxford Mindfulness Centre, I facilitate mindfulness in schools and other non-clinical settings. Using the body as a guide to inform my work, my approach is grounded in calmness and ease in the face of life's challenges, walking alongside diversity. I’m pleased to be joining you all for BWTOC UK 24 and I’’m looking forward to contributing a 90-minute Salon – On Discovering Mindfulness: a Taster Session.

Website | https://www.harmonytheraputicservice.com/ | https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles/what-is-clinical-supervision

Emotional Intelligence Coach, Speaker. Psychotherapist, Author

Hello, I’m Joy, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited psychotherapist, emotional intelligence coach and speaker, based in Buckinghamshire, UK I am author of the mental health handbook ‘Navigating Stress: How to Find Calm During Stressful Times’ (2021, Welbeck Balance). I experienced five earth-shattering family bereavements within the space of three years. I lost my 23-year-old son to suicide in 2018. I lost my sister and niece in 2020, then Mum and Dad in 2021. Life is about learning to navigate the positive and the negative challenges, right? And growing from the experience? My therapeutic background literally saved my life, helping me to rebuild my confidence, self-worth and determination. Owning my business therapy story has been a key part of my journey. Being an entrepreneur isn't easy, but I wouldn't give up the independence it affords me, to work for anyone else. I will be sharing my journey with you, for BWTOC UK 24, in a 45-minute Salon, inviting you to re-think your approach to Private Practice and asking: ‘Are You Minding Your Own Therapy Business?’

Website | https://www.joylangley.com/

LinkedIn | Joy Langley

Dramatherapist, TAPP Practitioner, Author

Hello, I’m Kairo, a British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) registered dramatherapist and Time-limited Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (TAPP) practitioner, based in London, UK. I work in a Community NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and I am currently completing a PhD in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. I also write and speak about intergenerational trauma and attachment, racial injustice and health inequalities for Black and other marginalised communities. My work includes: ‘Can Dramatherapy help Black women discover their true self despite racial and gender oppression?’ (2018, Dramatherapy Journal); “As a Black therapist, I want to see action come out of mental health awareness discussions” (online, 2019, Mental Health Today); ‘A Black Therapist Sees Herself: Exploring sameness and difference in the dramatherapy room’, in ‘Intersectionality in the Arts Psychotherapies’ (2022,. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. I’m passionate about improving the visibility of Black, Asian and other minoritised therapists and trainees in the UK. So I’m delighted to be contributing BWTOC UK 24. I’m offering a 90-minute experiential Seminar exploring ‘The Soft Life’ as an alternative to the ‘strong Black woman’ schema.

Twitter | @KMDramatherapy

ADIRA Mental Health and Well-being Services

Hello, I’m Nigel. I have worked in adult education for 24 years, including 12 years as a manager. I am now retired and currently volunteer for ADIRA, a survivor-led Black mental health and wellbeing organisation, founded by Ursula Myrie and based in Sheffield, UK. I have been involved in a number of innovative projects led by ADIRA for the African-Caribbean community of Sheffield, most recently as writer and Joint Executive Producer for the short film ‘Weave’, which challenges Black hair discrimination in the UK. Featuring a predominantly Black Northern UK team, the film is currently doing the rounds of the short film circuit for 2024/25. I’m really happy to be representing ADIRA for BWTOC UK 24. I’ll be presenting a 45-minute Salon introducing the short film ‘Weave’ and challenging Responses to African-Caribbean Hair impacting Mental Health.

Website | https://www.adira.org.uk/

About 'Weave' Short Film | http://www.adira.org.uk/Weave/

Founder and CEO, Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation

Hello, I’m Rayann, Founder and CEO of the Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation, a UK mental health charity providing a vital platform for the support and empowerment of Black women in the UK. Another key focus is as a PhD student, investigating the experiences of Black Caribbean mothers and daughters who migrated to the UK during the Windrush era (1950s to1960s). It’s a joy to be able to contribute to BWTOC UK 24 and I am really looking forward to participating in the discussions. I’ll be introducing you to the work of the Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation and looking at Nurturing Black Women's Mental Health in a 45-minute Salon.

Website | https://www.thelmamatildaalvesfoundation.com/

Instagram | thelmamatildaalvesfoundation

Twitter | @ThelmaMatila

Counsellor, Mentor, Support Worker, Author

Hello, I’m Kiren. I’m a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited person-centred counsellor in private practice and a single, disabled mum of 3 boys. I am also a Mentor and Support Worker within the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network’s (BAATN) Each One Teach One (EOTO) Programme. My work is with clients and mentees experiencing trauma and discrimination within the workplace and in educational settings, including counselling training institutions and placements. A self-penned account of my survival of explicit racism in counselling training, entitled ‘Counsellor Training and Beyond’ is published in 'Therapy in Colour: Intersectional, Anti-Racist and Intercultural Approaches by Therapists of Colour’ (2023; Jessica Kingsley Publishers). I look forward to meeting you for BWTOC UK 24. Alongside colleagues Salma Joosub and a contribution from Debrina Lloyd-Davies, I will be presenting a 90-minute Seminar exploring the experiences of Black and BIPOC trainee therapists Healing from Therapy Training.

Art Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Author, Attachment-Based Psychotherapist (in training)

Hello, I’m Georgina, a registered Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) art psychotherapist, supervisor, yoga therapist, mindfulness teacher, group facilitator and artist. I have significant experience of holding safe space for individuals and groups in various settings, including secondary education, local authority adoption support services and charities supporting women and girls with overcoming experiences of gender trauma. I have delivered art psychotherapy, psychology and creative arts training at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Currently I work as an art psychotherapist in NHS adult mental health services and I have a small private practice in South London, UK. I am author of ‘Skin to Paper: The body in art psychotherapy’, in ‘Intersectionality in the Arts Psychotherapies’ (2022,. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Through what I like to call ‘embodied creative self-enquiry’, I aim to encourage psycho-physiological health, wellbeing and enjoyment, for the public, individual clients, mental health professionals and other support workers. I’m delighted to be participating in BWTOC UK 24 with a 30-minute Yoga Therapy Studio Warm-Up and a 90-minute experiential Seminar questioning: ‘Who do you think you are?’Creative Self Enquiry: Meeting each other – meeting ourselves.

Website | https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/georgina-evans

Event Venue

Online