Date of Conferral

7-7-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jennifer Rounds-Bryant

Abstract

The study of individuals’ experiences in psychotherapy has resulted in improvements in delivery of services to clients. The purpose of the current study was to use Aragon’s primary provider theory as the theoretical foundation to explore African American women’s perceptions of the process and outcomes of their psychotherapy for depression. Phenomenological methodology was used to explore a sample of nine African American women’s perceptions of the process and outcomes of their psychotherapy for depression and other mental health issues. Participants answered nine semi-structured interview questions to describe their experiences of at least one session of psychotherapy in the 2023 calendar year. The data were hand coded to develop one theme to address each research question. The first theme was: African American women perceived that their psychotherapy was characterized by having a (a) a safe place, (b) cultural and personal validation, (c) guidance and tools for managing mental health issues, and (d) therapist listening and being younger. The second theme was: African American women’s current counseling experiences included therapists who provided therapeutic tools for clients to understand themselves, improve themselves, and manage mental health processes such as connecting experiences and gaining insights into their thoughts. Implications for social change included how obtaining information directly from individuals regarding their mental health services (before, during and after services) may improve African American women’s experiences during and after psychotherapy for depression, which can ultimately improve the effectiveness of treatment, reduce mental health symptoms, and increase quality of life for psychotherapy clients.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS