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…
Read more
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 …
Read more
Gregory is a psychodynamic therapist offering both short-term and long -term therapy to individuals He appreciates how difficult it can be to seek help and therefore places great importance on creating a warm, empathic and safe space for clients to explore whatever is on their minds Gregory helps individuals uncover and understand the underlying patterns that shape...
Oxford Circus
Paula is a popular integrative therapist who understands that the client-therapist alliance is paramount Providing a place of safety and empowerment, she supports clients living with anxiety and depression, and has extensive training in neurodivergence and disability, including supporting clients with long-term health conditions As well as her private practice, Paula...
Oxford Circus
Aaron offers a psychodynamic approach to psychotherapy which emphasises the unconscious mind and its influence on clients’ behaviour It often involves exploring past experiences and their impact on present-day thoughts and feelings Aaron creates a safe and supportive environment where clients can express themselves freely without fear of judgment Aaron is open to...
Oxford Circus
Kensington
Lara is an integrative therapist who offers short- and longer-term therapy to individuals Starting therapy can feel daunting, but Lara’s warm demeanour helps her clients feel more comfortable She creates a confidential and non-judgemental environment, which enables her clients to open up about their thoughts, feelings and experiences With empathy and curiosity, her...
Kensington
Jayne has a gentle and empathic approach, allowing clients to feel comfortable and relaxed as they begin therapy She offers a non-judgmental and confidential space where clients are safe to express their feelings and thoughts and explore some of the difficulties and challenges they may be experiencing As a humanistic integrative therapist, Jayne is guided by her...
Oxford Circus
Toulla is an integrative relational therapist using a combination of therapeutic approaches to help her clients She provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their difficulties in life, relationships and childhood and to share and resolve confusing and overwhelming feelings Toulla believes that, though challenging, therapy can help clients...
Oxford Circus
Antonella is a psychodynamic therapist offering short- and long-term therapy to adults She also sees couples facing issues within their relationship Since obtaining her Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy, Antonella has worked in different organisational settings (charities, NHS and university counselling services) helping people from...
Bloomsbury
Kensington
Natasha is a person–centred counsellor and psychotherapist who will provide you with a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space to explore any thoughts or concerns you wish to bring She works with a range of issues including anxiety, stress, critical thoughts, trauma, relationship issues, identity, depression, loss and low self-esteem Natasha offers a...
Oxford Circus
Yussef is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or present personal difficulties and experiences Yussef works with issues such as anxiety, depression, loss,...
Oxford Circus
Asma offers psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative therapies to individuals and couples She tailors her approach to meet the needs and preferences of her clients She offers short and long term therapy Asma provides a non-judgemental space for her clients, where they can feel safe to explore their feelings, make sense of their experiences and forge deep lasting...
Oxford Circus
Kensington
Contact Us
One Therapy London
20 Great Portland Street
London W1W 8QR
0333 207 9330
© 2006-2024 One Therapy Limited
Company number: 11926181
