Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Shannon Chávez-Korell
Abstract
The brilliance of Black mothers has centered their community’s progression and perseverance for centuries. Yet, most of the psychological research is either absent or promotes a deficit-framing of their experiences. In the present study, I use critical qualitative methodology to center the wellness experiences of Black mothers through analyzing a group therapy intervention entitled, Invincible Black Women. I aimed to promote strength-based, holistic research and practice for Black mothers. The research questions guiding this study focused on group participants’ definitions and applications of care practices as well as the role of mothering as explained in group therapy sessions. Sessions were conducted virtually with seven participants for five consecutive weeks. Following a within and across-case analysis, four overarching themes emerged: the balancing act of caregiving, redefining one’s identity through self-discovery, exploring and embracing spirituality, and activating self-care practices. Findings revealed the necessity of this culturally grounded group therapy intervention to promote mothers’ access to and comfortability with therapeutic care. Findings and implications toward the advancement of psychological research and clinical practice for counseling psychologists are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Stokes, Kimberly, "Centering Sisterhood: An Exploration Of Black Mothers’ Wellness Experiences Through A Group Therapy Intervention" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4248.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4248