Lived Experiences of Black Women Counselors During Racial Unrest
Date of Conferral
11-10-2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Counselor Education and Supervision
Advisor
Geneva Gray
Abstract
This hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of Black women counselors during racial unrest. Edmund Husserl developed phenomenology to explore experiences and gain insight. The Black Feminist Thought theory developed by Patricia Hill Collins was used as the theoretical framework to provide a lens to understand the participants’ unique experiences. One semi-structured interview averaging 35 minutes was conducted with eight women who identified as Black women who are fully licensed counselors under the age of 40 who provided direct counseling services during racial unrest since 2012. The data analysis was consistent with Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenological analysis. The seven themes of the study included (a) Black woman counselor identity, (b) impact of COVID, (c) push through adversity, (d) non-BIPOC response, (e) Black community, (f) professional burnout, and (g) moving forward in the counseling profession. The results suggest that Black women counselors experienced the need to push through circumstances and challenges while maintaining their Black woman identity. The study’s findings could help to strengthen the partnership between educating counselors with culturally appropriate information necessary to provide appropriate services to clients, support colleagues, and commit to professional growth. This study will promote social change by identifying unique needs of counselors and increasing the support of counselors in academia and in the field.
Recommended Citation
Jenerette, Whitney, "Lived Experiences of Black Women Counselors During Racial Unrest" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15115.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15115
