Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)

Advisor

Tracey-Ann Spencer

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV) are significant public issues in America, posing an impact on the Black community. Approximately 10 million women experience IPV, with Black American Women (BAW) comprising nearly 45% (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023; National Domestic Violence Hotline [NDVH], 2023; Stockman et al., 2015). Research indicated BAWs ambivalence to seek formal assistance due to historical disparities in receiving mental health and medical care and therefore, rely on their faith and the Black Church for support (Bent-Goodley et al., 2012; Steven-Watkins et al., 2014). Data showed a gap in the effectiveness of the Black Church’s ability to address IPV in support of BAW. This applied clinical project was conducted within a qualitative framework, using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of six BAW who survived IPV who sought assistance from the Black Church. The research question was: What is the experiences BAW IPV survivors have with receiving therapeutic assistance and support from the Black Church? The findings revealed six themes: (a) painful romance, (b) chaotic emotional experience, (c) complexities with support, (d) spiritual virtues, (e) freedom: courage to walk away, and (f) empower and equip the black church leadership. As a result of the findings a training was created to address competencies needed from clergy. Keywords: intimate partner violence, domestic violence, Black American Women, Black Church, phenomenology

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