Akimma Wright-D’Abreau, a 2024 graduate of the PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision at Antioch University’s Seattle campus, has written and published her dissertation titled, Black and African American Young Adult Male Experiences: Implications For Building Resilience And Survival Skills Within Educational Settings And Public Spaces.
From the perspective of Critical Race Theory, Wright-D’Abreau examined how adolescent Black males living in the United States build resilience and survival skills. Six participants between the ages of 18 and 26 were asked to recall adolescent experiences as part of a semi-structured interview with a Black Storytelling approach. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis, and the results showed there were seven themes: Policing in the United States of America comes in many forms, recognizing racism and that it’s real, How You See Me: I Was Born This Way, perceptions about racism, finding ways to cope, sharing stories from generation to generation, and perceptions about mental health treatment. The subthemes and connections to literature and professional counseling are also considered.
Wright-D’Abreau’s focus is on tele-behavioral health and military social work, mental health, and private practice. She provides counseling across services focused on incorporating social justice and advocacy, along with spirituality/religious beliefs and a focus on racial trauma and healing for BIPOC populations.
Read and download Wright-D’Abreau’s dissertation Black and African American Young Adult Male Experiences: Implications For Building Resilience And Survival Skills Within Educational Settings And Public Spaces.
