Bespoke Members
Introduction
This training session will be a one-hour introduction to Culturally Inclusive and adaptive therapy for black men. The field of psychotherapy has made significant advancements in evidence-based interventions, yet Black men remain one of the most underserved and underrepresented groups in accessing and benefiting from mental health services. Research consistently shows that Black men are less likely to engage with traditional therapy, more likely to drop out prematurely, and are at a higher risk of experiencing undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues. This underscores the urgent need for a Culturally Adaptive and Inclusive Therapy model that equips therapists with the skills to engage, retain, and effectively treat Black male clients.
Content
This webinar is designed to highlight brief history of black men in the UK, the barriers Black men face in accessing therapy, including the roles of stigma, discrimination, and racism. It will also explore strategies to support Black men in accessing psychological therapy and engaging in the therapeutic process to improve recovery outcomes.
Learning Objectives
1. Why am I here?
To give historical context and statistics showing the impact on black men mental health
2. What are the challenges affecting black men accessing therapy and staying in therapy?
Common barriers to black men accessing psychological support
What impact does stigma, discrimination, and racism have on engagement
3. Now what?
Evidence based strategies that can be implemented to support black men to improve their mental health and access psychological support
Training Modalities
In this 60-minute session we will be showing one video that is captioned and also 15 minutes at the end for Q&A.
Key References
Alang, S.M. (2019). Mental health care among Blacks in America: Confronting racism and constructing solutions. Health Serv Res, 54(2), 346-355. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13115
Dabydeen, D., La Rose, J., & Jones, C. (2005). The Black Presence in Britain: A History. London: Routledge.
Fryer, P. (1984). Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain. London: Pluto Press.
Kaufmann, M. (2017). Black Tudors: The Untold Story. London: Oneworld Publications.
Keating, F. (2020). Black men’s conversations about mental health through photos. Qualitative Social Work, 20(3), 755–772.
Mind. (2019). Discrimination in mental health services. Mind
Rivera, K. J., Zhang, J. Y., Mohr, D. C., Wescott, A. B., & Bamgbose Pederson, A. (2021). A narrative review of mental illness stigma reduction interventions among African Americans in the United States. Journal of Mental Health Clinical Psychology, 5(2), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-2959/2021/2.1235.
Speck, W. A. (1993). The Longman Companion to Britain in the Eighteenth Century. Harlow: Longman.
UK Government. (2021). Ethnicity Spotlight. Gov.UK
About the presenter
Ontonio Dawson is an agent of change originally from Jamaica and now resides in the UK with his wife, 6-year-old daughter, and 3-year-old twins. Before relocating to the UK, he served nearly six years as a Police Officer in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Management Studies from the University of the West Indies. After moving to the UK, he pursued two postgraduate degrees in Psychology at University College London (UCL) and King’s College London, ultimately becoming a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.
Ontonio is an award-winning Senior Specialist Psychotherapist working in the city of London, where he supports individuals facing common mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. As a specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) therapist, he has dedicated his work to culturally adaptive and inclusive therapy for Black men. In recognition of his contributions, Ontonio was honoured at the 52nd Annual Conference of The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies for his innovative approach to culturally adaptive therapy.
Ontonio is also the founder of the #SpeakBlackMan movement, which empowers Black men to openly discuss mental health and access psychological support. Through this platform, he hosts the annual #SpeakBlackMan virtual conference, providing a safe space for addressing mental health challenges and equipping participants with tools to enhance their wellbeing. In his writings and teachings, Ontonio highlights the unique challenges Black men face and offers practical strategies for managing mental health effectively. As a Transformational Development Coach, Ontonio is dedicated to helping others unlock their potential and discover their purpose.
Who should attend
This training is designed for PWPs, CBT Therapist (trainees included), Psychologists, Supervisors, Service Leads, Diversity Leads.