Black Women and Mental Health: Establishing Effective and Culturally Supportive Therapeutic Relationships

Abstract

This phenomenological study sought to examine the lived experience of Black women who received mental health counseling. Literature has long focused on the barriers and attitudes that attributes to Black women help seeking behavior, while vaguely focusing on the experiences in the counseling process. This study was guided by the hermeneutic phenomenological and critical race feminist theoretical approach. Using this approach, the research sought to understand the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black women that influenced the counseling process and provide knowledge to improve culturally responsive therapy. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants, the research found that despite the barriers and attitudes, the Black women in this study desired to improve their mental health through culturally supportive therapeutic care. The findings unpacked seven themes that captured the essence of Black women experiences in counseling. The overarching themes were (1) Readiness and Rationale, ((2) Challenges to the counseling process, (3) Cultural Impact on the Counseling Process, (4) Education and Conversation, (5) Culturally Identified Skills that Enhance the Therapeutic Alliance, (6) Personal Experience as an Advocacy Strategy, and (7) Improved Mental Health. Amidst the themes are implications for counselors, counselor trainees, counselor educators, and supervisors. Further, the results indicated limitations and future recommendations for research.