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A Black Empathic Approach to Psychotherapy

Growing from Rage to Compassion

Isha McKenzie-Mavinga

$74.95   $63.42

Paperback

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English
Routledge
01 September 2025
This book presents the concept of a black Empathic Approach, an experiential model used as a means of developing powerful feelings associated with racism, such as fear, guilt, and rage, into a useful THERAPEUTIC tool for healing the intersectional impact of anti- black racism and associated oppressions. Providing a framework for training, continued professional development, and therapeutic client work, this book explains the concept of the black Empathic Approach and discusses its usefulness in addressing racialization in a therapeutic context. It helps readers to unpick their use of empathy as a generic concept and develop it as a skill that can be used to assist others in addressing the trauma and impact of racism. Through a series of honest and transparent personal vignettes, Dr. McKenzie- Mavinga shares her own learning experience and personal growth from feelings of rage about racism to developing the approach and transforming pain into compassion. Chapters support processing, engagement and dialogue with contexts of anti- black racism in psychotherapy and counsellor training to provide a powerful framework for therapeutic discussion, teaching, learning and practice. This book is intended for therapists, coaches, support workers, social workers, training institutes, and anyone else attempting to support individuals and groups impacted by racism.
By:  
Imprint:   Routledge
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 234mm,  Width: 156mm, 
Weight:   330g
ISBN:   9781032767628
ISBN 10:   1032767626
Pages:   166
Publication Date:  
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Introduction 1.Breaking Through Colour Blindness 2.The Context and Quality of Empathy 3. Breathing New life into Empathy 4. Assimilation and Humiliation 5. Engaging with Internalised Racism 6. Being White Hurts 7. Developing an Appropriate Gaze 8. Unburied and Undried tears. 9. Reclaiming the Minds, We Never Lost. 10. Black Woman and Self-care 11. A Work in Progress. 12. The Legacy, a black Empathic Approach

Dr. Isha Mckenzie- Mavinga, Retired Psychotherapist, poet and lecturer, has thirty three years’ experience as a Transcultural Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Lecturer, Writer and Reiki Master. She contributed papers and poetry to several anthologies. 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. As her legacy, she presents talks and trains master facilitators to present her concept of a black Empathic Approach to expand thinking and practice that embrace an emergence from the impact of racism and develop intersectional, anti- oppressive therapeutic practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy, psychology, and the caring professions.

Reviews for A Black Empathic Approach to Psychotherapy: Growing from Rage to Compassion

“Yet another powerful contribution from McKenzie-Mavinga which offers a transformative framework for therapists, individuals and groups navigating the complex emotional landscape of antiblack racism. Using insight from decades of experience, she skilfully weaves personal narrative with professional wisdom, presenting a necessary and timely approach to healing. This book not only challenges traditional ideas of empathy but invites us all to embark on a journey of self-awareness, growth, and compassionate action. Essential reading for anyone dedicated to fostering authentic healing and dismantling racism.” Rotimi Akinsete: Founder & Director, Black Men on the Couch “Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga places the central theme of anti-Black racism—the distortion of perception and empathy by white individuals, front and centre in this comprehensive commentary of her life's work. She powerfully weaves her own experience, and the experience of many others involved in her work into a transformative call to action for anyone striving to create an anti-racist world.” Eugene Ellis, author of Transforming Race Conversations: A Healing Guide for Us All “Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga's life work illuminates the process of a black empathic approach as a model to heal the recursive life cycle of therapists navigating racialised hurts, slurs, and actions within the circumference and interior of the clients and institutions they work with. It is a must-have companion as a trilogy to the author’s two former books. This masterpiece compassionately saves the black psyche from imploding into self-disruption and lovingly makes a stand for self-dignity, knowledge, and empowerment.” Karen Carberry, Head of Family & Systemic Therapy, Orri, UK; Visiting Lecturer, University of Oxford, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme


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