I am a Dublin City University (DCU) MSc in Psychotherapy student looking forward to carrying out my research thesis, the purpose of which is to explore the lived experiences of accredited black psychotherapists working in Ireland around the attitudes and perceptions of Africans living in Ireland towards Psychotherapy.

The research objectives would include:

• Appreciating differences/challenges to psychotherapy work and practice for African people living in Ireland, as experienced by black psychotherapists working in Ireland.

• Exploring cultural beliefs or myths around discoursing or accessing mental health services among African communities, as located in the lived experiences of black psychotherapists working in Ireland.

• Illuminating in some ways, as to the differences and distinctions with which African people living in Ireland may both approach and present around psychotherapy in Ireland as again identified through the lived experiences of black psychotherapists working in Ireland.

I am writing to seek your support in my research to advertise and recruit for six accredited Black psychotherapists currently working in Ireland.

My supervisor for the research study is Assistant Professor Ray O'Neill from DCU and his contact email is RayB.ONeill@dcu.ie and his phone number 01 700 7750.

The research is voluntary and as an inherent part of the recruitment, a plain language statement and consent form will be sent to any participants willing to take part in the study. DCU Ethical approval has been obtained for this research. I attach these here for your records.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Alex Aroh

BSc Psychology

MSc Psychotherapy

Dublin City University

alex.aroh2@mail.dcu.ie

Phone: 089 988 8187