Examining The Lived Experiences of Counselors of Color Working in The Eating Disorder Field

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Biang, A. (2023). Examining The Lived Experiences of Counselors of Color Working in The Eating Disorder Field. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Though eating disorders (EDs) affect a diverse population of people, among professionals who treat EDs, Counselors of Color (COC) are under-represented (Jennings-Mathis et al., 2020). Because the ED field is predominately comprised of White professionals (AED, 2022; Jennings-Mathis et al., 2020), White invisibility may hinder counselors and researchers from recognizing oppression and injustices that occur in the ED field. The purpose of this Post-Intentional Phenomenological study was to bring awareness of the experiences of COC in the ED field and create a dialogue for systemic and social change related to their experiences. To do so, I interviewed 11 participants for the study, then analyzed interview material using a Post-Intentional Phenomenological design. Tentative manifestations, provocations, and productions emerged through a whole-part-whole analysis. The six tentative manifestations of unprepared, isolating spaces, unspoken knowing, sense of duty, exhaustion, and microaggressions; five provocations: vulnerability, race as an asset, complexity, double bind, and credibility; and two productions: cultural inclusion and why we strive, offer valuable knowledge about the experiences of COCs in the eating disorder field. In light of this knowledge, I discuss implications for counselor education and the ED profession, along with limitations and future research considerations. Focusing attention on graduate school preparation, increasing racial diversity, and incorporating inclusive racial research, will strengthen the ED field and lead to more racially diverse, competent counselors who have culturally inclusive treatments to serve all clients with EDs.

Details
Author

Biang, Amy

Title

Examining The Lived Experiences of Counselors of Color Working in The Eating Disorder Field

Physical Description

1 online resource (164 pages) : PDF

Date

2023

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Though eating disorders (EDs) affect a diverse population of people, among professionals who treat EDs, Counselors of Color (COC) are under-represented (Jennings-Mathis et al., 2020). Because the ED field is predominately comprised of White professionals (AED, 2022; Jennings-Mathis et al., 2020), White invisibility may hinder counselors and researchers from recognizing oppression and injustices that occur in the ED field. The purpose of this Post-Intentional Phenomenological study was to bring awareness of the experiences of COC in the ED field and create a dialogue for systemic and social change related to their experiences. To do so, I interviewed 11 participants for the study, then analyzed interview material using a Post-Intentional Phenomenological design. Tentative manifestations, provocations, and productions emerged through a whole-part-whole analysis. The six tentative manifestations of unprepared, isolating spaces, unspoken knowing, sense of duty, exhaustion, and microaggressions; five provocations: vulnerability, race as an asset, complexity, double bind, and credibility; and two productions: cultural inclusion and why we strive, offer valuable knowledge about the experiences of COCs in the eating disorder field. In light of this knowledge, I discuss implications for counselor education and the ED profession, along with limitations and future research considerations. Focusing attention on graduate school preparation, increasing racial diversity, and incorporating inclusive racial research, will strengthen the ED field and lead to more racially diverse, competent counselors who have culturally inclusive treatments to serve all clients with EDs.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Mental health

Degree

Ph.D.

Keywords

Counselors Of Color
Cultural Inclusion
Eating Disorders
Post-Intentional Phenomenology

Subject Area

Counseling

Advisor(s)

Merlin-Knoblich, Clare

Committee Members

Abrams, Lyndon
Haynes, Tabitha
Lim, Jae Hoon

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2023.

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Rights Holder Information

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Identifier

Biang_uncc_0694D_13387

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:3340