Emotional Emancipation Circles
The drive to get more of our communities to begin the process of healing our shattered consciousness will continue this year. Alongside established EE circles in Bradford, Manchester and Birmingham  London will finally get the experience in April. It is our intention to deliver circles  in other areas throughout the year.

ABPsi International Convention
This years convention, the 49th will be held in Houston, Texas; July 19th -23rd. The theme for this year is 'Our Roots Our Future'. To quote the theme outline "The essentiality of connectedness to our Afrikan roots as the foundation for the mental health and the future development and well-being of Black families, communities, organizations, and institutions will be the focus of presentations throughout this convention".
The usual suspects from Pattigift will be in attendance. If you are interested in travelling with us and or just require more information send us an email at info@pattigifttherapy.org

Healer Gathering
On July 6th members of Pattigift and healers from London will meet up with Ubuntu Consultants, Inc., a non profit organization from San Francisco, California. It is the start of an initiative from Ubuntu Consultants  to "connect healers" from  the Black/African diaspora. Led by our ABPsi sister Dr Rachel Bayard-Cooks 'Ubuntu Consultants will be travelling onto to Southern Africa to "connect and build bridges' with healers. We look forward to starting the process of making connections with other healers from around the African family.

Call For Volunteers & Therapy Students
As we continue to spread our wings and work with more people; we now find ourselves in the position of needing more volunteers and psychotherapy/counselling students. Our immediate need for volunteers  is for persons with administrative or data entry  skills.  For students in need of a placement you can be assured of a wide range in presentations and ethnicities.

Conference 2018?
It has been 10 years since we last held a conference. That time were were blessed to have the company and insights of Dr Na'im Akbar, Dr Wade Nobles, Dr Linda James Myers and Dr Cheryl Tawade Grills. Were probably a bit overdue   but we finally have the urge to host an event with an African centred psychological perspective. Their's no title, or theme or speakers or venue. However we are putting out out into the universe that 2018 we want to do a conference.

Workshop 2017
During the year we will be putting on a series of workshops designed to challenge, thoughts provoke and stimulate healing.
March 18th Power of the Word
To celebrate the opening of our library resource. This workshop will engage participants around words, written, spoken, sung.
May 6th Black Men Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?
Taking an honest look at Black Men
July 6th Intuitive Arts
Last years workshop had such a great impact, we've asked the facilitators to do a 2017 version
September 9th Heal The Healers
Healers give much of themselves in their endeavours; and quite often forget to replenish themselves. This workshop will offer ways to keep oneself grounded.
November 18th Developing an African centred therapy organization
Using Pattigift as an example; this workshop looks  at the fundamentals and challenges in building an African centred organization

Further information on these workshops can be found on our website http://www.pattigifttherapy.org/book a course and click on the workshop series link.

Library
Later this month will see the opening of our library. A small affair at the moment; the intention is to  develop a significant resource of books, journals, research articles, images,video and audio.  in honour of our 'Uncle Edwin' the library will be known as the Edwin J Nichols Library. 
The Book
One of the fascinating things about working at Pattigift is that most people have plenty say for themselves. So we have decide to put our collective thoughts into book form. With a working  title of Kizungu Zongu (tornadoes of the mind); the central theme is the  shattered consciousness of African heritage people with topics ranging from African centred psychotherapy, parenting, sharing of food, Black men, rituals, drama, african personality in the UK, and CBT from an African centred perspective to name a few. Everyone is feeling excited and challenged! by the prospect of explaining and exploring the different facets of our work and our relationships.

Health Tip
Pattigift's offices are on the 4th floor, so many of us have taken to taken the stairs rather than the lift. Works the heart and legs and is a good way to start the day. Whether at work or home.

Hetepu
(Peace and Many Blessings)