
Articles
VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1, 2025
#MentalHealthMatters: A Commentary on Therapists as Content Creators
Bryaunah J. R. Heckard
Social media has played an undeniable role in the reshaping of how members of the Black community view the concepts of mental health and the mental health field. Discords and comment sections have created a sort of group connection through vulnerable parasocial relationships that seemingly affirm acceptance and understanding between those who may have experienced symptoms of mental and emotional distress. While social media outlets, such as Facebook have broadened the average individual’s understanding of mental health, should there be some concern with social media becoming the unofficial pro bono version of telehealth? This commentary article takes a look at the impact that social media has had in the mental health field and how therapists are utilizing their online presence to aid their community. This article references the ethical obligations of the American therapist based on the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and how these obligations are being upheld with the therapist’s online presence. Finally, this commentary weighs out the pros and cons of therapists
having an online presence and how it affects the professional relationship between client and counsel and the integrity of the mental health profession. In conclusion, this article affirms that the presence of therapists and mental health professionals alike on social media platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube, has been a positive experience and continues to help both raise awareness about the very real existence of mental health impairments while providing accurate information and resources for those that may be confused or disenfranchised to receive accurate health. Additionally, this commentary recognizes the ethical lines that need to be adhered to regarding professionals reminding the public that their social presence is not a substitute for a
substantial professional relationship with a licensed therapist
Dr. Malik Raheem, Dr. Renee Starr
This study employs Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Afro-pessimism as foundational frameworks to investigate racial microaggressions and racial battle fatigue experienced by Black Counselor Educators and Rehabilitation Counselor Educators. Through semi-structured interviews with nine participants, the study identifies the pervasive impact of racial microaggressions in CACREP and CORE-accredited programs. Purposeful sampling was utilized to recruit participants, and gender differences in exposure to racial microaggressions and racial battle fatigue were also examined. The findings highlight four primary themes: (a) tokenism, (b) microinsults, (c) microinvalidations, and (d) feelings of invisibility and hyper-visibility. The implications of these findings for institutional practices and limitations of the study are discussed.
Keywords: microaggressions, faculty, staff, institution
Perceived Cultural Competence of White and Minority Counselors Working with Black Clients
Dr. Damion Davis, Dr. Sam Bore, Dr. Timothy A. Brown, Dr. Lavelle Hendricks, Dr. Dimitra Smith, Dr. Delarious O. Stewart,
Dr. Karl Mitchell
The counseling outcomes of Black Americans have been observed to be less efficacious than those of their White counterparts. In order to gain a deeper understanding of this disparity, an investigation was conducted to assess the self-identified cultural competence of licensed professional counselors in Texas, both White and non-White, who provide counseling services to Black clients. The findings reveal that White counselors perceive themselves to be less competent when working with Black clients in comparison to their non-White counterparts. This study provides insights into the implications for counseling, including the need for strategies to address the topic of race in counseling sessions and its limitations.
Keywords: cultural competence, colorblindness, microaggressions, Black, race, therapeutic relationship.
Dr. Kendric D. Stewart, Dr. Delarious O. Stewart, Dr. Lavelle Hendricks, Dr. Dimitra Smith, Dr. James L. Maiden
This study explores the intersection of environmental justice and mental health disparities in Washington Parish, Louisiana, focusing on the roles of counselors, psychologists, and community leaders in driving systemic change. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical modeling, the research identifies entrenched environmental racism, with predominantly Black and low-income communities disproportionately situated near polluting industries. Key findings show strong correlations between proximity to polluters and the percentage of Black residents (r = 0.72) and poverty rates (r = 0.63), exacerbating anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. The study advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating culturally competent mental health care, trauma-informed practices, and community- led resilience programs. It underscores the need to embed mental health into environmental policies and leverage advocacy for equitable policymaking, offering a pathway to empower marginalized communities and advance justice-driven transformation.
Keywords: Environmental Justice, Mental Health Disparities, Environmental Racism, Advocacy, Social Transformation
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1, 2024
Dr. Christian Henry, Dr. Lavelle Hendricks
African American males in the United States experience an elevated risk of police brutality, which contributes to increased levels of anxiety and psychological distress. This study explores how potential encounters with police affect the mental health of educated, middle-class African American men by examining their personal perceptions. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed, involving focus groups with five educated, middle-class African American men who responded to structured questions about their experiences and perspectives regarding police interactions. The findings indicate that these men perceive police presence as overwhelmingly negative, which, in turn, negatively impacts their mental health. This research highlights the psychological burden associated with anticipated or past encounters with police and emphasizes the need for further examination of mental health outcomes within this demographic.
Keywords : African American males, middle-class, educated, police brutality, mental health
Beats, Rhymes, and Risks: Exploring the Influence of Hip-Hop Media Consumption and Gender on Adolescent Substance Use
Dr. Delarious O. Stewart, Dr. James Maiden
This study examines the relationship between hip-hop media consumption and adolescent substance use, revealing significant gender-based differences. Male students reported higher substance use, particularly when consuming hip-hop content extensively. These findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant interventions, such as hip-hop therapy, to promote healthier behaviors among adolescents.
Keywords : Hip hop culture, Adolescent behaviors, Substance usage patterns, Gender difference in adolescent substance usage
Dr. Ajitha Chandrika Prasanna Kumaran, Dr. Margarita Ryerkerk
In this systematic content analysis of the International Journal of Eating Disorders (IJED) between the years of January 2019 and September 2023, the researchers examined the literature published on using telehealth, apps, and social networking sites to help clients with eating disorders. The researchers focused on the frequency of the articles, methodology, online delivery modality, interventions, and eating disorders. Implications and future research recommendations are directed toward counselors, supervisors, and counselor educators.
Keywords: telehealth, eating disorder, cognitive-behavior-therapy, content analysis
Deadly Fentanyl: Knowledge and Impact on African Americans Living In Rural East Texas
Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, Dr. Dimitra Smith, Dr. Marcella Smith, Dr. Christian Henry, Dr. Laneshia Roland, Dr. Faye Barner,
Dr. Michael Schmit