Working with Black Identities: Cultural Awareness & Effective Practice

"I feel so inspired by our tutor and i can see myself counselling in the future. It has been good to meet other people and confidentially open up with some of my personal hardships. I did not envisage myself doing this and similarly, it has been a privilege to hear other people discuss their issues. I feel our tutor has created this space and allowed this to happen. It really has been great meeting you and having you as our tutor"

"I cried, I journaled, I laughed, and I left with clarity. This was more than a workshop — it was a spiritual reset."

"I learnt more about the black history and historical values. It helped me realise the suffering the black community has been through, as it brought me to tears."

"This workshop gave me permission to feel again. I’ve been carrying so much pain silently, and today I felt seen, safe, and supported for the first time in a long time."

"I came in feeling broken. I’m leaving with hope. Thank you for creating a space where I could reconnect with myself and remember my worth."

"The affirmations, the grounding exercises, the sisterhood — everything was just what my soul needed. I feel lighter and more empowered to keep healing."

"I’ve been to a lot of self-help events, but this was different. It was deep. It was real. It was tender and powerful all at once."

"The session on confidence unlocked something in me. For the first time, I spoke up without apologizing for who I am. That’s huge for me."

"I’ve been struggling with self-love for years. This workshop didn’t just talk about it — it gave me practical ways to start building it from the inside out."

"Susanna, your authenticity is contagious. You reminded me that healing isn’t linear, but I’m allowed to take up space and thrive."

"I came for empowerment and left with sisterhood. Thank you for building a space where Black women like me could show up fully and not feel judged."

"I didn’t know how much I needed this until I sat in that circle. Thank you for helping me remember that I’m not alone in this journey."

"Enjoyed a range of different topics, personal perspectives and experiences. Learning about the historical trauma of the black community and how this is carried today."

"I am pleased to provide a reference for Susanna's workshop on black identity in counselling. As a seasoned counselling lecturer with 27 years of experience, I was impressed by the quality and depth of this workshop. It was a reflective and challenging journey, exploring the complex issues of race, identity, and culture in therapy. Susanna's workshop encouraged participants to confront their biases, expand their perspectives, and embrace diversity in their practice. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to grow personally and professionally as a counsellor. - Tommy Silver Director Brighter Teaching Academy"

"I learnt about something I was unsure about and felt uncomfortable talking about it. The open discussion made me realise that it is ok to talk about race and the lived experiences of the black community."

"Everything was so informative and insightful, learning what the black community have endured, how they have and still overcome challenges and how it has affected generations."

"Very informative, Interesting and educated me on the historical trauma and black identity. Thank you."

"The history I really enjoyed I was also shocked as this was the first time hearing this and more so it is relevant to our time and counselling."

"Learning about history and relating it to counselling Susanna is very Passionate and understanding which makes it very enjoyable to learn from her."

"Fantastic workshop I enjoyed everything, I reflected on past experiences and how we sometimes put things down to race instead of being brave enough to talk about it."

"I enjoyed the workshop every part, it made me glad for my experiences and I learnt about black inventors I never knew about. Thank you."

"I enjoyed learning the background history and gained new insight into how racism can have an impact and how as therapists we must understand what our clients are going through."

"Interactive and Interesting subject, learnt the historical trauma a black person may carry and how that could affect the counselling room."

"I enjoyed learning about the personal perspectives of others. It was very interactive and made me feel comfortable and safe."

"This workshop was interactive, interesting, informative and great personal perspectives. I learnt a lot."

"Excellent presentation and delivery, very passionate and enthusiastic. Learnt new information and found the personal stories very inspiring."

"Had a chance to reflect and consider how discrimination and bias transcends all aspects of life and how important it is to be aware of this as a therapist."

"Freedom to talk about everyone’s experiences, I gained insight to some history aspects I had no idea existed."

"Discovered new theorists that I did not know about, background knowledge on past slavery and how it has impacted the black community."

"Helped me understand the challenges and experiences of black people and how that may affect them in therapy."

"The openness of conversation, the impact of otherness throughout all aspects of life and how that presents in therapy."

"I enjoyed the interactive, the facts, history which I would not have known of others in the group being open and honest."

"I saw things I knew about but did not know a black lady was behind it, such as the GPS. I learnt about how some struggles are still being felt."

"I enjoyed every part of this workshop. It was well throughout and well presented. I have learnt so much."

"Learning more about black history was interesting to see how much history has been hidden. Loved the fact that everyone had an opportunity to speak."

"Susanna’s enthusiasm when sharing knowledge and information and her humour shined through, which made the workshop engaging."

"It was incredibly informative but did not feel like a lecture or too academic. It was very real, which made me engage and connect more."

"Completely blown away by the information that was given I was unaware of beforehand. It made me think about my own assumptions."

"I thought it was educational. I learnt so much about black history that I had no idea about. I would highly recommend it."