Working with Race and Racism in Counselling

About this event

For many years, the subject of race and racism was regarded as taboo and to be avoided in polite conversation. However, these days, since the demonstrations resulting from the death of George Floyd in the USA made the issue of racism a much-discussed topic in the news and in society, it is no longer possible to avoid this issue nor to remain ignorant when working with clients. This is now something that many clients will want to engage with and talk about and there has never been a more urgent time for counsellors and psychotherapists to understand how to support clients through this process.

In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of :

• A historical overview of how the current race construct came about in the UK and the USA.
• Our unconscious bias and how the current race construct has influenced it.
• How racism affects people of all races.
• Working with clients who are affected by racism
• How racism as a system of oppression creates and maintains shame in individuals and communities.
• Strategies that promote healing from racism, shame and oppression
• What it means to be anti-racist and how to take action

Facilitators - Glen and Grace Doris

Glen Doris is a historian with a PhD from the University of Aberdeen who wrote his thesis on the topic of the Scottish Enlightenment and slavery. Glen will give a historical overview of how the current race construct developed during the time of slavery and how it impacts British and American societies today.

Grace Doris - Originally from Malaysia, Grace has had years of experience living and working in different cultures. Having met her husband on an international ship – the MV Doulos in 1990, getting married to him in 1994 required Grace to relocate to Brisbane, Australia for 8 years. While in Australia, she gained a degree in theology and ministry (with an associate diploma in social sciences) and their two children were born.

In 2002 their family returned to the MV Doulos for another 4 years of adventure visiting over 70 ports in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East while living and working with staff and crew from 40 different cultures.

Since then, Grace and her family have been settled in Aberdeen, Scotland where she has had over 10 years of experience as an Intercultural Coach & Consultant, working predominantly with the oil and gas industry, the local council, Syrian refugees, churches, universities, and the NHS. Grace has also recently gained a diploma in counselling and is now practicing as a counsellor in Aberdeen.

Handouts and CPD certificate are included in the price.

For more information and booking, head to Greenwood Events Here