Date of Conferral

5-23-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Shelly Friess

Abstract

Suicide represents a major public health and educational concern and presents profound emotional and professional challenges for school counselors. This transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of nine certified school counselors of color who had experienced the death of a student by suicide while employed in K–12 educational settings. With this research, I sought to answer the question: What are the lived experiences of school counselors of color who have had a student die by suicide? Guided by Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenological framework, this study employed bracketing to set aside researcher bias and uncover the essence of participants lived experiences through semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using Moustakas’ modified van Kaam method, which involved horizontalization, reduction and elimination, clustering of invariant constituents, and the development of textural and structural descriptions to capture the essence of participants lived experiences. Data from the analysis resulted in six essential themes: (a) the emotional difficulty of student suicide for counselors of color, (b) suppression of emotions due to the strong Black woman schema, (c) self-reflection and grief-based rumination, (d) reliance on spirituality and social networks as coping tools, (e) increased professional vigilance after student suicide, and (f) counselors’ confidence in addressing future suicides. These findings support culturally responsive support and training that promote counselor wellness and foster more equitable, inclusive school communities

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