Authors
Sydney M. Herring-Alderete, California State University, Fullerton
Miranda E. Gutierrez Acosta, California State University, Fullerton
Sarah M. Bryant, California State University, Fullerton
Michelle A. Pollok, California State University, Fullerton
Grace Schroeder, California State University, Fullerton
Kevlyn M. Holmes, California State University, Fullerton
Jessi H. Pham, California State University, Fullerton
Lauren Bulalacao, California State University, Fullerton
Suzanne Lopez, California State University, Fullerton
Moises Franco, California State University, Fullerton
Nat Betancourt Arellano, California State University, Fullerton
Lauryn Jarvis, California State University, Fullerton
Ana G. Reyes, California State University, FullertonFollow
Abstract
Too frequently, traditional research centers the wounded-subject position (Brown, 1995), which reduces minoritized individuals to their experiences of discrimination, perpetuating deficit-based narratives, oppression, and existing power dynamics. To counter traditional research frameworks and deficit-based narratives, we used photovoice methodology (Wang & Burris, 1997) to honor and celebrate the healing experiences of nine queer womxn of color (QWoC). The photovoice project explored the healing experiences of QWoC inside and outside counseling and lead to the curation of a photovoice exhibit to share their stories of resilience and power. This article outlines our approach to organizing a photovoice exhibit and our experiences and reflections throughout the process. We include recommendations, a sample exit survey, and a photovoice exhibit tracker to inspire counselors, counselor educators, and researchers to explore photovoice methodology and exhibits.
Keywords
photovoice exhibits, queer womxn of color, wounded-subject position
Author Bio(s)
Sydney M. Herring-Alderete is graduate from the Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at CSUF who plans to become an LPCC and LMFT. She approaches clinical work from a person-centered and narrative perspective and believe clients are the experts of their own lives. She values integrating intersectionality, multicultural counseling, and mindfulness into my sessions. Upon graduating, she completed her own research study that explored how queer counselors-in-training navigate professional identity integration and clinical work through expressive arts. Miranda E. Gutierrez Acosta is studying for her Master's for Clinical Counseling at CSUF and works as a therapy intern for residents of Thomas House Family Shelter. Sarah M. Bryant is a graduate student at California State University, Fullerton. Michelle A. Pollok is a dedicated and compassionate Professional Clinical Counselor/Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Living Success Center, providing evidence-based therapy to adults and children. Her clinical expertise spans a wide range of mental health challenges, including ADHD, OCD, substance use, anxiety, and depression. She is completing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. Kevlyn M. Holmes is conducting research with the Liberatory Research Collective while working as an associate marriage & family therapist at Psych Partners. They are a passionate crafter and is intrigued by the power fiction must facilitate healing. Jessi H. Pham is a graduate student in the Department of Counseling at CSUF. He aims to become an LMFT and LPCC with a background in multicultural studies and an intersectionality-based framework. He is EMDR-Trained and operate from a person-centered therapy approach to my clinical work, where clients are the experts of their lived experiences. Lauren Bulalacao is a student from California State University, Fullerton. Suzanne Lopez is a student from California State University, Fullerton. Moises Franco is a graduate of California State University–Los Angeles. He is currently a master’s student in the clinical counseling program at California State University–Fullerton. Moises is dedicated to learning cultural humility and culture’s impacts on mental health in Spanish-speaking and multicultural communities. With his focus on liberatory practices, cultural humility, and evidence-based research, he envisions working with various communities. Nat Betancourt Arellano is a Senior Coordinator for California State University, Fulleerton in the Losquadro Keller LGBTQ Resource Center - Division of Human Resources, Diversity, & Inclusion. Lauryn Jarvis is a student at California State University, Fullerton, and she has a Bachelors of Art in Women and Gender Studies, using both to conduct ongoing research focused on gender in the fitness industry, solidifying her passions in these fields. Grace Schroeder is a graduate student in the Department of Clinical Mental Health at California State University, Fullerton. She is currently completing her practicum experience at Radiant Health Centers where she serves the LGBTQ+ and HIV+ communities. She aims to become an LPCC with specializations in queer mental health and Geek Therapy! Ana Guadalupe Reyes, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CHST (elle|they|them|theirs) is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor (TX), and Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist. Dr. Reyes is also a Usui Reiki Master/Teacher who practices various forms of energy healing. With over 15 years of experience working with underserved and never-served populations, including communities of color, immigrants, refugees, survivors 3888 The Qualitative Report 2025 of sexual assault and domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ communities in multiple settings, Dr. Reyes integrates somatic, liberatory, and holistic approaches into their work as a scholar, educator, advocate, and counselor. Please direct correspondence to areyes3@antioch.edu
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank everyone who made our photovoice exhibit possible, including the individuals who donated to our lab, exhibit volunteers, and guests. In particular, we would like to express our gratitude to the nine co-researchers for vulnerably sharing their stories of healing and communal power.
Publication Date
7-13-2025
DOI
10.46743/2160-3715/2025.7300
Recommended APA Citation
Herring-Alderete, S. M., Gutierrez Acosta, M. E., Bryant, S. M., Michelle A. Pollok, Schroeder, G., Holmes, K. M., Pham, J. H., Bulalacao, L., Lopez, S., Franco, M., Betancourt Arellano, N., Jarvis, L., & Guadalupe Reyes, A. (2025). Honoring queer womxn of color’s wisdom, healing and joy: A reflection on our Approach to photovoice exhibits. The Qualitative Report, 30(6), 3869-3888. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2025.7300
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4363-018X; https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6786-6531; https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5305-9639; https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6804-7440; https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2889-4028; https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4549-9350; https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8617-0045; https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6524-7412; https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0785-9019; https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1186-3664; https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3264-3937; https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8678-9156; https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0503-9419;
