M. J. Maher - Racism and Cultural Diversity: Cultivating Racial Harmony through Counselling, Group Analysis, and Psychotherapy

My sincere gratitude to David Muggleston, Amy Manchershaw, my supervisor Professor Ian Parker and my editor John Allen, all of whom upheld and guided this ship as it struggled through troubled waters to reach its destination. Without their support and belief in this project the vessel would have capsized.

The book contains drawings and images which illustrate my thinking and the cultural concepts I wanted to put across without words. Many thanks to Georgia Manchershaw for the title illustrations and animal drawings; Kiara Thembile Maher for the Black History illustrations; Karen Mpo Zinaka and Bryan Themba Maher for helping in realizing these concepts artistically and creatively; and Jim Wellsman for the front cover photo.

Much appreciation to my analytic family for giving birth to the group analyst that I am todayCynthia Rogers, Dr Harold Behr, Linda Anderson, Sheila Mackintosh Millard, Tony Ashton, Stephen Cogill, Sue Einhorn, Nick Tanna, Dr Keith Hyde, Dr Jim Wilson, Dr Malcolm Pines, Dr Peter Hollis, Marion deLandemeter, Christine Thornton, Nick Barwick, Chris Powell, Sally King, Ian Simpson, Marcus Page, Tim Thomas, Steve Paddock, Sheila Ritchie, Bonnie Gold and the ever-available beaversSue Stevenson and Bethan Marreiros.

Many thanks to the staff and students at Manchester Metropolotan Universitymy Personal Development Group, in particular Sam Ndoro, Alex Hamlin, Leanne Mundin and our tutors Dr Paul Duckett and Kevin Rowley.

At North East Surrey College of Technology (NECOT), where I did my Introductory to Counselling Skills, Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and BA (Hons) in Counselling I would like to thank Brian Maxwell, Philippa Evans and Dr Anastasios Gaitanidis and all the students and staff with whom I studied.

Thanks to all the people I worked with in the two therapeutic communities, particularly Lyston Knight, Steph Murray, Dr Fred Roach, Brenda West, Kamla Lansing, Peter Bryan, Josephine Hamilton, Heidi and Dr David.

To everyone at Westminster Pastoral Foundation Therapy (WPF Therapy)staff and trainees, particularly those who so willingly offered their time to participate in the research with such honesty and enthusiasm, I am grateful for the time and energy you put into the project, making a heavy task seem so light and enjoyable.

I would also like to express my thanks to all the patients/clients/ residents/service users who have always been a great source of learning as we travelled together in the jungle of the unknown and learnt to play rugbyholding and running with the ball, that is, working through the presenting challenges when the desired preference was volley ball or tennisthe games of butting away difficulties and responsibilities. It has been a two-way learning experience. I thank all those who gave their consent to allow me to reflect on our work together which I hope will benefit others.

To my family and friends;the MaherDerek and Lydia, Billy, Richard and Dolly; the Mubika, Kamwemba, Zinaka, Ovidiu Tamas, Cole, Okpokiri, Marowa, Mutandiro, Machivenyika, Mupenzeni, Tsvakai, Musoni, Chigova, Nomvete, Tsomondo, Laura Czerniewicz, Rick, Jacque and Francis de Satge; Father John Bliss, Dr John and Anne Stephens, Patricia and Ngoni Kudenga; Joyce Chivizhe-Madzivire, Peter Vincent Speyer, Dhun Manchershaw, Dr Matina Sotrilli-Harding, Terri Barnes, James Kilgore, Tony, Sally and Naomi Poyser, Margarate Hondoyenzomba, Mabel Sikhosana, Marion Gow, David and Marjorie Samudzimundinotenda nemoyo wangu wose (I thank you with all my heart). To all those who might feel left out I say, Kutenda kwakitsi kurimumoyothe gratitude of a cat is in its heart. You know how grateful I am.