A Black Empathic Approach to Psychotherapy- Book launch

Join us for the book launch of Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga's new book A Black Empathic Approach to Psychotherapy- Growing From Rage to Compassion, on September 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM (Europe/London)

This coming together of friends and colleagues will honour McKenzie-Mavinga's life and work, and discuss the motivation for bringing the concept of a black empathic approach to life and the book's aim to give this concept its rightful place in training, practice, and supervision in therapies.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and explore new perspectives. See you there!

Endorsements

“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, Consultant Family & Systemic Psychotherapist. Head of Family & Systemic Therapy, Orri, UK; Visiting Lecturer, University of Oxford, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme

For more information, visit: www.routledge.com/9781032767628

Dr Isha Mckenzie-Mavinga

Author, Educator, Usui Shiki Ryho Reiki Master

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. Black Women, Trauma and Therapy. (2025)Ed Helen George

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 7th Relational Coaching Conference 2022: Young MINDS round Table discussion. 2023: Into The Wild Woods. Existential Responses to Turbulent Times. 2025

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.