A Self-Practice / Self-Reflection (SP/SR) Programme for therapists practising CBT, of White Ethnic and Cultural Identities
Yuhan Murros, Dr Richard Thwaites, Dr Ciorsdan Anderson, Kamila Klejny, & Dr Alasdair Churchard
We are looking for clinical psychologists and high intensity therapists practising CBT, who self-identify as being from a White ethnic and cultural background, to take part in a new Self-Practice/Self-Reflection (SP/SR) programme.
Background
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition within the psychological professions of the importance of working in culturally sensitive ways that acknowledge intersectional differences (BABCP 2021,2025; HCPC, 2020, 2023). However, many therapists report limited opportunities within training or professional development to explore their own cultural identities or to practise discussing issues of ethnicity, culture, and race in depth.
Aims
This programme aims to provide a safe and supportive space for you to reflect on your own ethnic and cultural identities, how they may influence your clinical work, particularly with clients from global majority / minoritised ethnic backgrounds.
Methods/Design
This programme adapts an established SP/SR approach, which involves therapists using reflective exercises to explore personally meaningful material and considering how this learning applies to their clinical work.
This programme will be delivered through a workbook comprising of 4 modules, along with fortnightly online group reflective sessions, led by two experienced facilitators: Dr Alasdair Churchard (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Ciorsdan Anderson (Consultant Clinical Psychologist). Yuhan Murros and Kamila Klejny (Trainee Clinical Psychologists) will be carrying out this evaluation as part of their Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) research at the University of Oxford.
Outcomes
You will get a CPD Certificate: participation can count towards CPD hours for the BABCP, under hours of practice and reflection.
We hope this programme will support you to:
- Develop skills in reflection, formulation, and talk openly about ethnicity, culture, and race in ways that are relevant and helpful to clients’ presenting concerns;
- Better understand the impact of racism and ethnic minoritisation on clients;
- Enhance your clients’ experiences of therapy and build stronger therapeutic relationships;
- Strengthen CBT skills when working with clients from minoritised ethnic and cultural backgrounds (and all cultures broadly);
- Improve your cultural competence when working with colleagues and supervisees.
More broadly, you can contribute to research aiming to understand how cultural competence can be developed, and how therapists may be supported in this area.
How to take part
You are eligible to take part if you are:
- A clinical psychologist or a high intensity CBT therapist;
- BABCP “accreditable” (possessing or pursuing accreditation is not required);
- Identifying as being from a White ethnic and cultural background;
- Currently working with at least 1 client from a minoritised ethnicity.
What’s Involved?
- Working through 4 modules, reflecting on links between your ethnic and cultural identities, and clinical practice.
- Attending an online reflective group space for 4 sessions.
- Helping us evaluate the programme by answering questionnaires and completing one interview at the end of the modules.
Important Details / Time requirements:
- This programme will involve around 12 hours of individual and group work in total, over a course of approximately 3 months, depending on individual pace.
- Data collection will take place over the course of approximately 4-5 months.
For more information about taking part, email yuhan.murros@hmc.ox.ac.uk
Expiry date: 1 August 2026
