White Talking Therapy Can't Think in Black

A look inside the world of the book

Explore an illustrative presentation of the book and reading formats. The original published cover and edition details remain above.

Illustrative concept imagery; printed cover, interior pages and available formats may differ. Refer to the edition links above for the published versions.

BEHIND THE PUBLICATION

The story behind the book

This book began with a question shaped by lived experience: what happens when the systems meant to support us cannot see the whole person? Drawing on his life as a Black, gay and dyslexic British-Ghanaian man, alongside his work as a psychotherapist, Jarell Bempong examines systemic racism, cultural assumptions and the intersections of identity in mental healthcare, education, workplaces and society.

The book recounts formative experiences in Ghana and England, including the educator Mrs Joan Ofori, who recognised Jarell’s dyslexia and introduced tactile approaches to learning. As an author with dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), Jarell also wanted the book’s presentation to reflect his commitment to inclusion. Following its first publication in August 2023, he independently commissioned further editorial and production work, with attention to readability, accessibility and fidelity to his voice.

The independently prepared revised edition was published in October 2023 and is the edition featured here (paperback ISBN 9781739562106). The publishing journey also contributed to Quill & Compass Publishing. At its heart, the book asks readers, practitioners and leaders to recognise people in the fullness of their identities—and to change the conditions that make some experiences invisible.

THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES

An unexpected connection with Jane Elliott

Some of the most meaningful conversations begin with an unexpected connection. In October 2023, I reached out to Jane Elliott, the pioneering anti-racism educator behind the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise, to share my appreciation for her work. What followed was something I hadn’t anticipated.

In her very first reply, Jane spoke passionately not only about racism but about dyslexia—particularly the lifelong consequences of children being misunderstood, mislabelled and failed by education systems. Her words took me straight back to Ghana and to Mrs Joan Ofori, the remarkable headmistress who recognised something in me that others had overlooked. Where others saw a child who wasn’t academic, she saw someone who simply learned differently. Her tactile approach to teaching changed what I believed was possible for myself.

I shared that story with Jane, opening up a continuing conversation about race, identity, language, education and the systems that shape people’s lives. Her generosity, curiosity and conviction have stayed with me. She has warmly welcomed the inclusion of her insights in my future writing and expressed a hope that these conversations might reach the educators shaping the next generation. For me, our connection captures something at the heart of my work: when we look beyond labels, we begin to recognise possibilities that systems have taught us to overlook.

Beyond the book

Explore personal support, organisational learning and speaking with Jarell through Turncurrent.

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