Internalised Racism: UK Research Project
Overview
Internalised racism describes the process of internalising racist beliefs about yourself. Some people may be aware that they have internalised racism, whilst others may not. It has been shown to cause significant damage to an individual’s overall health. There is limited research on how Black people in the UK experience this phenomenon.
I am looking for people to meet with to help us better understand how Black psychotherapeutic practitioners (i.e., psychotherapists, counsellors, counselling and clinical psychologists) in the UK experience internalised racism. This is because we are looking to gain insight into the potential thoughts and feelings associated with internalised racism and how this may impact Black people’s lives in this country. It is hoped that psychotherapeutic practitioners can offer a unique perspective on this experience. The findings from this research hope to improve support for Black people experiencing internalised racism in the UK.
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This research has been approved under the procedures of the University of Roehampton’s Research Integrity and Ethics Committee, which means that this study is deemed as safe and has a low risk of causing harm to people.
Study aims
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Understand how internalised racism is subjectively experienced by Black psychotherapeutic practitioners in the UK
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Encourage better integration of internalised racism into therapeutic training and aid in developing psychological interventions for this issue.
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Understand how internalised racism shapes Black psychotherapeutic practitioners experience of the therapeutic encounter in the UK.
04
Encourage more empirical research on internalised racism in the UK.
Eligibility
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You can communicate in written and spoken English.
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You have completed your psychotherapeutic training.
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You are a registered and/or accredited member of a psychotherapeutic body (e.g. BACP/UKCP/BPS-HCPC/BABCP).
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You:
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currently practice as a psychotherapist, counsellor or therapeutic psychologist, or;
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have practiced as a psychotherapist, counsellor or therapeutic psychologist within the last five years.
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You have experienced internalised racism.
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You self-identify as Black and have African heritage (this includes Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, and other African diaspora groups).
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You reside in the United Kingdom.
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You are aged 18 years old or above.
Eco-Friendly Design
24/7 Support
Participating in this study
How to participate?
What to expect?
If you are interested in participating or would like any further information, please contact Lauren Jacobs at jacobsl@roehampton.ac.uk or drop me a message below.
I will first invite you to an initial meeting lasting 15-20 minutes to discuss the study in more detail and confirm if you meet the inclusion criteria.
​If you meet the criteria and you consent to participate in this study, I will invite you for a main interview which will last approximately 60-90 minutes.
About the interviews
It will just be the two of us attending these interviews. The interviews will be conducted remotely via Zoom, linked to my University of Roehampton student account. We can agree on a mutually convenient day and time for the same.
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In the main interview, I will invite you to share your personal experience of internalised racism. I will also invite you to reflect on how your internalised racism has impacted your therapeutic relationships with clients. I will audio-record our conversation.
What will I do with your data?
All data collected as part of this research will be stored and processed in accordance with UK GDPR. I will ensure that your data remains confidential, and is stored on a password protected device. I can give you more details through an “information sheet”, once you reach out to express your interest in participating in this study.
What will I do with your data?
We have designed the study so there are as few risks as possible to the people involved. As the interviews involve talking to me about your personal experiences of internalised racism, this may cause you some discomfort and/or emotional distress.