In conversations about race and anti-black racism, profound emotions often emerge—such as fear, shame, or defensiveness—signaling what Dr Isha McKenzie-Mavinga has conceptualized as ‘Recognition Trauma’. For example, someone might feel a deep sense of guilt upon recognizing their role in systemic oppression. This framework provides an insightful lens for understanding the intense feelings that arise when individuals recognize themselves as part of an oppressive system, whether as perpetrators, subjects of oppression, or even occupying both roles simultaneously.
This workshop offers a supportive and engaging environment to:
- Learn to identify and explore the concept of Recognition Trauma and its role in discussions about anti-black racism.
- consider exploration and management of the emotional responses that emerge in training and professional contexts. -consider and develop initial tools to navigate the discomfort and resistance that can accompany these critical conversations.
- Reflect on questions about exploring intersections of personal and collective responses to anti-black racism in a mixed group.
Facilitated by Dr Isha McKenzie-Mavinga, a leading expert in integrating anti-racism and psychotherapy, this workshop invites counsellors, psychotherapists, and other helping professionals to engage deeply with this vital topic. In the first part of the workshop, Dr. McKenzie-Mavinga will deliver a 45-minute presentation, followed by time for questions and discussion in the second half. Together, we will examine how Recognition Trauma can serve as a bridge to greater understanding and empathy. This process will lead to transformative action in anti-racism work.
This event is designed as a pre-workshop to the full weekend workshop that will be delivered online and supported by BAATN, Dr. Isha McKenzie-Mavinga and her team on the 7th and 8th of February 2025. Free tickets for this Pre-workshop and a recording of this event will be offered to people registered for the February workshop.
BAATN Workshop: The Challenge of Racism: A Black Empathic Approach to Therapeutic Practice
These workshops are presented by BIPOC Masters trained by Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga in a ‘Black Empathic approach’ to therapy, and the challenge of racism.
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.
The workshop runs from Friday 7th to Saturday 8th February 2025.
Click here for more details of the BAATN Workshop: The Challenge of Racism: A Black Empathic Approach to Therapeutic Practice
Course Content
Presenter
Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga, has thirty-three years’ experience as a Transcultural Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Lecturer, Writer and Reiki Master. As a published writer & poet, she is the author of ‘Black Issues in the Therapeutic Process’ (2009) and ‘The Challenge of Racism in Therapeutic Practice’ (2016). She also co-authored an autobiography’ ‘In Search of Mr Mckenzie’ (1991) She contributed papers and poetry to several anthologies, including ‘The Handbook of Transcultural Counselling and Psychotherapy’ (2011: Ed Colin Lago), ‘Making Research Matter’ (2015: Ed Stephen Goss & Christine Stevens), ‘Intercultural Therapy’ ( 2019: Ed Baffour Ababio & Roland Littlewood), ‘What is Normal’ (2020: Ed Roz Carroll & Jane Ryan).’The International Handbook of Black Community Mental Health’ (2020:Ed Majors, Carberry & Ransaw). ‘Therapy in Colour’ co-editor & contributing author. Mckenzie-Mavinga, Eugene Ellis, Kris Black, Karen Carberry 2023.
Isha has a presentation on the Confer online Module ‘Women on the Couch’ 2020 and has shared her work on various podcasts and at conferences including BME Voices Trauma conference 2020.Recent: Keynote speaker at Hult Ashridge 7thRelational Coaching Conference 2022: Young MINDS round Table discussion 2023.
Isha initiated therapeutic services at the African Caribbean Mental Health Association in Brixton, and at Women’s Trust, working with women impacted by violence in relationships. She was a student counsellor and senior lecturer at London Metropolitan University and taught at Goldsmiths University of London. She has presented Black Issues workshops, based on concepts created during her doctoral research and published in her books. She has presented talks in statutory and voluntary organisations, Universities, prisons and community support projects. As her legacy work, Isha has trained a group of master facilitators to present her concept of a Black Empathic Approach to expand thinking and practice that embraces an emergence from the impact of racism and furthers intersectional, anti-oppressive therapeutic practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy, psychology, and the caring professions.
