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Decolonizing a UK counseling psychology training program: the journey so far.

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Title: Decolonizing a UK counseling psychology training program: the journey so far.
Authors: Nkansa-Dwamena, Ohemaa (AUTHOR), Alhakim, Jeeda (AUTHOR), Challenor, Julianna (AUTHOR), Gunasinghe, Cerisse (AUTHOR), Haddon, Alice (AUTHOR), Kahya, Holly (AUTHOR)
Source: Counselling Psychology Quarterly. Mar2026, Vol. 39 Issue 1, p137-156. 20p.
Subjects: Curriculum, Philosophy of education, Doctoral programs, Course evaluation (Education), Professional identity, Psychology, Intersectionality, Anti-racism, Professions, Curriculum planning, Counseling, Patient participation
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
Abstract: As Counseling Psychology doctoral training in the United Kingdom marks 20 years, we, six counseling psychology educators, reflect on the evolution of our anti-racist and decolonizing practice, through the lens of our professional identity. In this paper, we situate our training within the current UK context critically considering the constraints of the governing structures and our institutional policies. We reflect on our program's journey, from a place of relative "color-blindness" and racial ignorance, to ever increasing critical, racial consciousness. Whilst some colleagues on our program have for years engaged with attempts to decolonize our discipline, we acknowledge the murder of George Floyd in 2020, as a pivotal turning point in our program's history, sparking accelerated change. Decolonization on our program has taken varied forms. Whilst we believe these changes have been impactful, we acknowledge their limitations; and reflect on the challenges of working within a system that inherently restricts radical action and change. We present a critical analysis of these challenges, interrogating the notions of decolonization in relation to counseling psychology training and practice, grappling with its scope and complexity. We conclude with a summary of our current position; future directions and recommendations, for other programs, educators and the broader discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Counselling Psychology Quarterly is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Decolonizing a UK counseling psychology training program: the journey so far.
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  Data: As Counseling Psychology doctoral training in the United Kingdom marks 20 years, we, six counseling psychology educators, reflect on the evolution of our anti-racist and decolonizing practice, through the lens of our professional identity. In this paper, we situate our training within the current UK context critically considering the constraints of the governing structures and our institutional policies. We reflect on our program's journey, from a place of relative "color-blindness" and racial ignorance, to ever increasing critical, racial consciousness. Whilst some colleagues on our program have for years engaged with attempts to decolonize our discipline, we acknowledge the murder of George Floyd in 2020, as a pivotal turning point in our program's history, sparking accelerated change. Decolonization on our program has taken varied forms. Whilst we believe these changes have been impactful, we acknowledge their limitations; and reflect on the challenges of working within a system that inherently restricts radical action and change. We present a critical analysis of these challenges, interrogating the notions of decolonization in relation to counseling psychology training and practice, grappling with its scope and complexity. We conclude with a summary of our current position; future directions and recommendations, for other programs, educators and the broader discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Counselling Psychology Quarterly is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/09515070.2025.2521823
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 137
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Philosophy of education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Doctoral programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Course evaluation (Education)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional identity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology
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      – SubjectFull: Intersectionality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Anti-racism
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      – SubjectFull: Professions
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum planning
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      – SubjectFull: Counseling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Patient participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Decolonizing a UK counseling psychology training program: the journey so far.
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              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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