A Phenomenological Study of the Perceptions of African American Pastors Providing Pastoral Counseling to Individuals Who Commit Intimate Partner Violence

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the education, training, and experience held by African American pastors who provide pastoral counseling and resources to individuals who commit intimate partner violence within their congregations. The research questions guiding the study are, "How do African American pastors describe the effectiveness of their education and training when counseling individuals who commit intimate partner violence?" and "How do African American pastors describe their level of competence when counseling individuals who commit intimate partner violence?" The final research question, which is connected to the theoretical orientation of the study, is, " What role does the disenfranchisement of African Americans play in African Americans seeking counseling from their pastors instead of mental health counselors?" The theory that guides this study is critical theory. The philosophical foundation of critical theory is appropriate because of the beliefs held by African Americans, including a distrust of organizations or individuals in positions of power. This lack of trust can impact an individual's inclination to seek out their pastor instead of a mental health professional. Critical theory helps shape the study by factoring in the role disenfranchisement plays in the African American community and how it informs whether individuals who commit IPV seek mental health services and their reliance on or preference for African American pastors for counseling. Data collected through one-on-one interviews utilizing semi-structured interview questions revealed that pastors do not feel they have the necessary training, education, or experience to provide pastoral counseling to individuals who commit intimate partner violence. However, pastors acknowledge that this training, education, and experience is needed. Focus groups revealed that trust and disenfranchisement were factors that contributed to congregants seeking counseling services from their pastors instead of mental health professionals.