Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
African-American pastors are seeking culturally competent mental health/addiction (MH/A) professionals who understand the Black Church theology as well as the intersectionality between their African-American clients and their Christian beliefs. Preliminary findings suggested that African-American pastors want mental health and addiction professionals to be culturally competent as well as culturally sensitive to provide parishioners with more holistic and faith-based interventions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate and examine beliefs held by African-American pastors regarding collaborative relationships with mental health and addiction professionals, and how their specific theological beliefs affect these collaborative relationships. Using the narrative approach, three pastoral interviews were analyzed to identify personal and theological beliefs held by pastors and the extent to which they are willing to collaborate with MH/A professionals. This study revealed that pastors who have personal experiences with MH/A varied in their decisions to collaborate with MH/A professionals. Furthermore, this study found that pastors' theological beliefs influence their decision to collaborate with MH/A professionals. It is recommended that pastors and MH/A professionals identify effective and meaningful ways to collaborate to support the mental health and addiction needs of parishioners in the Black Church.
NOTE: Presentation recording is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ri9-e4uD954?si=v9xHAbc675EcaOHu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Shuntay Tarver
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Counseling and Human Services
College Affiliation
College of Education & Professional Studies (Darden)
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-30-2024 8:30 AM
End Date
3-30-2024 10:00 AM
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Included in
Switching the Narrative: Pastor's Beliefs and Reasonings
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
African-American pastors are seeking culturally competent mental health/addiction (MH/A) professionals who understand the Black Church theology as well as the intersectionality between their African-American clients and their Christian beliefs. Preliminary findings suggested that African-American pastors want mental health and addiction professionals to be culturally competent as well as culturally sensitive to provide parishioners with more holistic and faith-based interventions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate and examine beliefs held by African-American pastors regarding collaborative relationships with mental health and addiction professionals, and how their specific theological beliefs affect these collaborative relationships. Using the narrative approach, three pastoral interviews were analyzed to identify personal and theological beliefs held by pastors and the extent to which they are willing to collaborate with MH/A professionals. This study revealed that pastors who have personal experiences with MH/A varied in their decisions to collaborate with MH/A professionals. Furthermore, this study found that pastors' theological beliefs influence their decision to collaborate with MH/A professionals. It is recommended that pastors and MH/A professionals identify effective and meaningful ways to collaborate to support the mental health and addiction needs of parishioners in the Black Church.
NOTE: Presentation recording is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ri9-e4uD954?si=v9xHAbc675EcaOHu