My presentation is that of a Black woman who began using secondary mental health services in 2001. It will take you through the journey of my experiences of psychological therapies as it paralleled my recovery journey. The journey that began with a burning question – ‘Why me?’ Or ‘What have I done to deserve this?

I won’t be taking any academic stand points; this is not because I am unable to draw upon current research, it is because I wish you to draw your own conclusions. My presentation is based predominantly on my lived experience as a user of secondary mental health services in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea; my membership of the Oremi Centre and my observations as a Peer Recovery Trainer at the Central and North West London NHS Trust Recovery & Wellbeing College.

Each part of the presentation will follow the same pattern: examining the nature of the therapy, the cultural backgrounds and genders of my therapists, the environment in which the therapy took place, and benefits and difficulties that were exposed as a consequence.

The final part of the presentation will look at how I used the learning from my therapy and how this has led me on another quest. This time one of learning, of immersing myself in the historical, cultural and spiritual roots of my people and how this has changed me.

My presentation will outline the concept of Sakhu as first introduced by Dr Na’im Akbar (1985) and refined by Dr. Wade Nobes (2013). I will explore how an understanding of African and Caribbean people from such an African worldview allows for a positive reframing and illumination of our therapeutic engagement and creates the potential for recovery and growth.

Though out my presentation I will draw on examples from my work where I have attempted to incorporate an understanding of African Spirituality (or Sahku) into practice in our mental health services in individual and group work.

The presentation explores the relevance of the principle of Mentalism in African Spiritual Philosophy and its connection to the wellbeing of the Person. It investigates how this principle expresses itself across various Traditions to produce positive psychosomatic effects for adherents in its practice.

It delves into the Universal laws of Tehuti and how it is utilised in ritual practice to shape and manage one's reality and holistic health. It explores how it provides motivation, purpose and a firm foundation for emotional and physical health. It identifies various recent scientific discoveries that are affirming these principles to further our understandings of life and our very existence.

It posits African Indigenous Spirituality as a necessary component of the field of Psychology, to broaden its knowledge-base of various healing modalities that can be utilised for psychological and emotional wellbeing.