It’s hard to escape racism. Whatever a person’s colour or ethnicity, it’s easy for most of us to believe that a person of another background is different to oneself.
Stereotypes are embedded in society, for example in films, news media, advertising and folklore, and we are all vulnerable to external ideas about race and culture. While racism is endemic in most societies, it is most noticeable when we see the damage it can do to individuals or groups.
The more vulnerable a person is to race-based maltreatment, the more likely a person will be aware of their own difference. A white person in the UK is unlikely to consider what it means to be white, while a black person may be constantly aware of what it means to be black.
Talking about racism and difference can be uncomfortable. For many people, it is a visceral, very emotional topic. But it is important to talk about it as a society, since we can’t hope to change it if we don’t discuss it.
It is also valuable to discuss racism and difference in therapy. Experiencing racism is horrendous, yet for too many people it is a common occurrence. Being discriminated against on the basis of your skin colour or any other difference is likely to bring up various emotions, such as anger, hopelessness, frustration and sadness. If it happens regularly, some people suppress those emotions because it feels too much to deal with them all the time.
In therapy you can talk about how discrimination has affected you and gradually release the emotions that have been bottled up over the years. It can feel liberating to be heard and understood as you work through the pent-up feelings.
Therapy is not about getting okay with racism. Your anger is justified and a good therapist won’t try to take that away from you. It’s about hearing you and supporting you to be powerful and authentic in spite of the discrimination you face.
Appointments available
Mondays to Fridays
7.30 am until 8.30 pm
Saturdays and Sundays
8.00 am until 6.00 pm
Call to book a first appointment
0333 207 9330
Connect with Us
Therapy is often seen as something white people do. We want to challenge that. We seek diversity in our recruitment and have provided further training for our therapists on working with race and difference.
Some clients prefer to work with a therapist who looks like them and is likely to have experienced similar discrimination. Others are happy to work with someone who is more different from them, and actually it can be very powerful to work with the differences between client and therapist. Either way is fine – what is important is for you to work with someone you feel comfortable opening up to. You can read a little about each of our therapists here.
If race and difference is an issue in your relationship, you may like to see one of our couples therapists. You can find out more about couples therapy here.
Your first appointment can be booked online or by calling us. It is an opportunity to find out if therapy is right for you and to decide whether you wish to continue with your chosen counsellor. They will be happy to refer you to a colleague if the fit doesn’t feel right.
I’m often struck by the anxiety that I see on the faces of clients when they come to their first couples counselling appointment. They are invariably wondering what’s going to happen. Will they have to reveal things they don’t want to say in front of their partner? Will their…
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When I trained as a psychotherapist, me and my fellow students were given the assignment of doing something we’d never done before. The course tutors wanted us to get in touch with how scary it can be to do something new, to feel the fear of the unknown. I chose to …
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As a psychodynamic therapist, Prachi provides a warm and secure space for her clients to explore their world She works collaboratively with clients to uncover the unconscious patterns that shape their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours By making connections between past experiences and current life, clients can gain valuable insights and develop more authentic ways of...
Oxford Circus
Christine (she/her) is an integrative counsellor and psychosexual therapist She offers a warm and safe space with room for both tears and laughter Her approach is relational, curious and personal, focusing on understanding what makes each individual unique She works alongside her clients as they explore their emotions, develop new perspectives on behaviours, cultivate...
Oxford Circus
Annabelle is a skilled and compassionate therapist offering support for individuals and couples in Kensington/Notting Hill Her approach is centred around creating a non-judgemental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings and relationships It is her belief that with greater understanding comes agency, and this is when powerful change occurs Annabelle works...
Kensington / Notting Hill
Yussef offers a warm and confidential space to explore life’s challenges He is a psychodynamic therapist and works in a way that explores how past experiences and hidden patterns may shape your present thoughts, feelings and relationships In meetings with Yussef, you can speak freely about whatever feelings, memories or experiences are important to you You will begin...
Oxford Circus
Damla offers a warm, supportive and confidential space where you can talk openly — perhaps for the first time — about the thoughts, emotions and challenges shaping your life She provides psychodynamic psychotherapy, gently exploring the deeper, often unconscious, roots of emotional difficulties Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in unhelpful patterns, or...
Oxford Circus
Gregory is a psychodynamic therapist offering both short-term and longeterm therapy, depending on what feels right for you He understands that starting therapy can feel daunting, and is committed to creating a warm, grounded and genuinely safe space where you can discuss whatever is on your mind Gregory holds a Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Counselling and...
Oxford Circus
Janis offers an empathic, non-judgmental and safe environment where her clients can explore the issues that are currently troubling them Janis works collaboratively to explore and challenge thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are no longer serving her clients’ wellbeing, interests and relationships with themselves and others She believes it is through the...
Oxford Circus
As a psychodynamic therapist Shelley brings a wealth of experience to her work and supports her patients to talk about those aspects of their lives they are finding painful, upsetting or difficult to deal with, in a confidential, non-judgmental and peaceful setting Shelley is particularly interested in working with those who are experiencing depression, bereavement, high...
Bloomsbury
James is a psychosexual and relationship therapist who has been in private practice for five years He works with individuals and couples on sexual and relationship difficulties, understanding that these can be significant causes of distress in one's life Prior to working in private practice, James worked for the psychosexual team at Croydon University Hospital He is a...
Oxford Circus
Tatjana uses an integrative approach to support individuals and couples through personal, professional and relationship difficulties, in a collaborative and relaxed environment in which they can safely explore their past and present experiences Tatjana aims to understand your needs and explore possible solutions by identifying the thinking, behaviour and emotional...
Oxford Circus
