Uplifting and Prioritizing Black Voices in Trauma Intervention: Cultural Adaptations of Written Exposure Therapy for Trauma-Exposed Black Women

Abstract

Research has highlighted Black women's heightened exposure to trauma, and risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Black women also experience unique internal and external barriers to treatment, including stigma and cultural perspectives on mental health treatment. Further, avoidance and thwarted belongingness serve as additional barriers that prevent people with PTSD from seeking evidence-based PTSD treatment, including written exposure therapy (WET). Given these barriers to treatment, researchers have emphasized the need for cultural adaptations that take the experiences of racial/ethnic minorities into account and provide a culturally responsive approach to treating mental health problems, including PTSD. This qualitative research study seeks to amalgamate existing literature centering the needs of Black women in therapy, along with direct community stakeholder feedback of their treatment experiences and suggestions through focus groups in the service of integrating the feedback into an existing treatment for PTSD (i.e., group WET). The current research incorporated feedback from 11 Black women and clinician participants. Results identified several themes which stakeholders suggest incorporating into WET, including accessibility and feasibility, group content, population considerations, group dynamics, and clinical considerations, each of which align with empirical research. Results of this research emphasize that by indicating and integrating concrete suggestions for potential adaptations within PTSD treatment for Black women, providers can better serve and understand this population and provide culturally congruent care.