Finding Harmony: The Lived Experiences of African Americans Who Have Participated in Emotionally Focused Therapy

<p>This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African Americans who have participated in emotionally focused therapy (EFT) within the past 2 years. Despite EFT's recognized effectiveness in fostering secure attachments and emotional expressiveness among distressed couples, there is a significant gap in research concerning its application within the African American community. This study addressed this gap by examining the personal narratives of six African American individuals, focusing on how EFT influenced their emotional expression and interpersonal relationships. The research identified four prominent themes: Transformation and Growth, Initial Apprehension and Fear, Cultural Sensitivity and Therapeutic Alliance, and Normalization and Advocacy for Therapy. These themes emerged through various sub-themes, including emotional rewiring, communication enhancement, cultural compatibility concerns, and the impact of systemic racism. The participants, recruited through the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and local EFT listservs, provided insights into their therapy experiences, highlighting the importance of cultural competence in therapeutic settings. The findings suggest that EFT can be a valuable therapeutic approach for African Americans, offering pathways for emotional healing and relational improvement while underscoring the necessity for culturally sensitive practices in therapy. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a deeper understanding of African Americans' experiences with EFT, aiming to enhance the cultural competence of therapists and inform best practices in counseling diverse populations. The implications for future research and the counseling field are discussed, emphasizing the need for further studies to expand on these findings and explore the broader applicability of EFT across different cultural contexts. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counselor Education

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Young, Jennifer R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ileana Ungureanu, MD, Ph.D.
• Patricia Robey, Ed.D.
• Tracey Kim Snow, Ph.D.

• African Americans
• emotionally focused therapy
• lived experiences
• emotions
• emotional expressiveness
• transformation and growth
• Counselor Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opus.govst.edu/theses/154

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.govst.edu:theses-1153