Soul work: Black practitioners’ perceptions of Black clients’ mental health needs

Abstract

Most empirical investigations with Black clients have focused on the multicultural competence of practitioners who work with them. Little attention has been given to the needs of Black clients. This phenomenological inquiry explored Black practitioners' perceptions of Black clients' mental health needs and identified five common themes: (a) mental health literacy, (b) family and parenting counseling, (c) advocacy, (d) trauma and grief work, and (e) self-efficacy enhancement. Implications for counseling and future research are discussed.

A mixed methods study of Black/African American counselor wellness

“…We highlight the latter domains in which participants describe their work being doubted by White peers in both content and process, being subjected to excessive scrutiny not observed with White peers, experiencing isolation and overvisibility as “the only one” in workplaces (Bryant et al., 2005), devaluing Black perspectives or issues, and conscientiousness of racial interpretations of their behaviors (e.g., stereotype threat and maintaining respectability). The conflicts expressed are consistent with previous research on Black/African American counselors’ professional frustrations and challenges (Evans, 1997; Jones et al., 2009; Summers & Lassiter, 2022). It should be noted that these dynamics were only reported with peers, not clients or students.…”

“…This is consistent with Evans's (1997) finding that 20% of Black/African American counselors in the sample chose to work in a mostly Black environment. More recent research (Goode-Cross & Grim, 2016;Summers & Lassiter, 2022;Scharff et al, 2021) shows that Black/African American therapists describe an interest in providing services to their community and report a unique sense of commitment, care, and solidarity with Black/African American clients. Regardless of their setting or population, it was clear that participants in the focus group expressed a strong commitment to the counseling profession, viewed wellness as important culturally and professionally, and voiced the positive impact of self-compassion in their wellness goals.…”

A study exploring the compounded effects of racial trauma across the lifespan of DAEUS citizens and surviving COVID‐19

“…Findings from this study indicate participants relied on religion and faith to shield themselves from continuous racial trauma, beginning as children, involving supportive relationships to assist themselves and their families in matters of physical, mental, economic, and educational well‐being. Summers and Lassiter (2022) highlighted barriers to Black clients’ mental health needs and acknowledged historical mistrust as a barrier to seeking help. In agreement, the researchers also believe participants in this study are not intentionally seeking mental health professionals because they already have a support method that has worked for them for generations.…”

“…Critical Race Theory (CRT), however, offers a theoretical frame to conceptualize counternarratives that challenge misconceptions about Black health and contextualize the impact of racism on the health of Black people (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017;Fripp & Adams, 2022). Research studies have recognized that Black Americans experience racism daily (Bailey et al, 2021) and as continuous source of psychological trauma (Balkin et al, 2021;Landor & McNeil Smith, 2019;Sue & Sue, 2016;Williams-Washington & Mills, 2018). According to research, Black Americans are most at risk for mental health concerns because of decreased life satisfaction and institutional barriers to success that result from racism (Pieterse et al, 2012;Williams et al, 2012).…”