ABPSI Toronto

We at the Association of Black Psychologists -Toronto Chapter (ABPSI-TO) are
dedicated to the advancement of the African-Canadian community in the Greater
Toronto and Hamilton Areas (GTHA). We condemn systemic
and everyday anti-Black racism, defined as prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping, microaggressions
and discrimination that is directed at people of African descent and is rooted
in their unique history and experience of enslavement and colonization. Anti-Black racism has
no place in our practice, our institutions or in our society. We stand alongside the statements that were
released by the Association of Black Psychologists - National Board to strongly
denounce White supremacy, systemic and everyday anti-Black racism,
discrimination and hatred as these impact the mental health, well being, and
quality of life of the African Canadian community.

It is our belief that our African-Canadian community has experienced disproportionate
violence, over-policing, racial profiling, incarceration, unemployment, child
welfare involvement, and miseducation, and has suffered significant
transgenerational and race-based trauma that has, and continues to impact the
mental, physical, emotional and health of our community. It is through African-centered policies,
practices and procedures that the African-Canadian community can commence and
continue the healing journey that has not been afforded to us due to entrenched
systemic and structural racism. ABPSI-TO
is committed to confronting the racist constructs that have negatively impacted
our African Community for a significant period of time, and provide the education
and clinical services necessary to facilitate personal and collective healing,
as well as systemic and structural changes within Canada.

In Solidarity,

Association of Black Psychologists-Toronto Chapter (ABPsi-TO)

Ancient Egyptian Thought and The Development of African Psychology

“The understanding of the relationship between Ancient Egyptian Thought and African/Black Psychology requires first and foremost the recognition that the Ancient African World was a world of symbolism and that much of what is meaningful in African psychology today has gone unrecognized and misunderstood because of our inability to understand the role of symbolism in the African mind-both Ancient and modern” (Wade Nobles, 2006).

IMG_5355[2480].JPG — African psychology

“African Centered/Black Psychology is a dynamic manifestation of unifying African principles, values and traditions. It is the self-conscious “centering” of psychological analyses and applications in African realities, cultures and epistemologies. African Centered/Black Psychology, as a system of thought and action, examines the processes that allow for the illumination and liberation of the Spirit…African Centered/Black Psychology is ultimately concerned with understanding the systems of meaning of human beingness, the features of human functioning, and the restoration of normal/natural order to human development. As such, it is used to resolve personal and social problems and to promote optimal functioning” (ABPSI, 2017).

IMG_5353[2484].JPG — programs, workshops & events

These workshops provide insight into the rich historical connections for people of African heritage both on the continent and in the diaspora.