
The Inner Counsel
A Reflective Journal for the Community of Self Practitioner
Explore. Reflect. Restore. Become.
Discover the Practitioner Within
What is the Community of Self?
The Community of Self is an African-centred psychological framework developed by Dr.
Na'im Akbar that views the person as an internal community made up of interconnected
elements. Each element is explored through reflective writing, creative practice and clinical
application.


The Inner Counsel has been created for:
Arts Therapists
Counsellors
Psychotherapists
Clinical Supervisors
Social Workers
Clinical Psychologists
Family Support Practitioners
Youth Workers
Coaches
Community Practitioners
Students
Reflective Practitioners
Whether you are newly qualified, an experienced clinician or community activists, this journal provides space to deepen your awareness of yourself as your primary therapeutic instrument.
Who Is It For?
The framework is designed for organisations committed to investing in their people and developing high-performing cultures.
It is particularly valuable for:
Executive Boards
Senior Leadership Teams
Middle Managers
Emerging Leaders
Human Resources and People & Culture Teams
Learning and Development Professionals
Organisational Development Consultants
Public Sector Organisations
Health and Social Care Services
Criminal Justice and Community Services
Corporate and Private Sector Organisations
Organisational Outcomes
The Car Parts® Framework supports organisations to:
Develop emotionally intelligent leaders.
Strengthen communication across all levels of the organisation.
Build trust and psychological safety.
Improve collaboration and cross-functional working.
Increase employee engagement and motivation.
Develop resilient, adaptable teams.
Enhance leadership capability and decision-making.
Support organisational change and cultural transformation.
Encourage innovation through reflective thinking.
Strengthen accountability and shared responsibility.
Improve wellbeing and workplace relationships.
Embed a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
A Different Approach to Leadership Development
At the heart of the Car Parts® Framework is a facilitated experiential learning experience that enables participants to explore leadership, behaviour and organisational culture through metaphor.
This approach creates a psychologically safe environment where participants can openly discuss complex workplace challenges without feeling criticised or judged.
The framework encourages conversations around:
Leadership effectiveness
Organisational culture
Team dynamics
Communication
Accountability
Decision-making
Managing change
Innovation
Conflict resolution
Employee wellbeing
Personal and collective responsibility
By creating space for honest dialogue and shared reflection, organisations develop stronger relationships, increased trust and greater alignment around common goals.
The Inner Counsel
A Reflective Journal for the Community of Self Practitioner