Research, Publications, & Scholarship
My research is rooted in a deep commitment to the mental health and well-being of Black women.
For far too long, Black women have navigated mental health systems that were not designed with our voices, language, or lived experiences in mind. My work challenges those gaps by examining how language, culture, and power shape the way Black women understand their mental health diagnoses and treatment experiences.
A central focus of my scholarship explores the role of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in mental health communication. When diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication information are explained in language that reflects the way people naturally speak and process information, understanding increases and barriers to care can begin to break down.
My published and developing work explores issues that impact Black women and families, including resilience, intimate partner violence, cultural expectations of strength, church trauma, and the experiences of Black scholars navigating academic spaces.
As my research continues to grow, my long-term goal is to develop a theoretical framework that examines how culturally relevant language influences mental health comprehension, trust, and engagement in care. This work aims to expand the field of mental health by centering communication approaches that honor culture, community, and lived experience.
This page highlights my published scholarship as well as the research that continues to shape my work as a scholar, advocate, and educator committed to improving mental health outcomes for Black women.
Publications
Black Girl Magic: Strength, Resiliency, and Suffering? A Qualitative Exploration of Toxic Black Femininity and Intimate Partner Violence
Promoting change through the voices of Black graduate students: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of Black graduate students in MFT programs
Talk to Me How I Talk: The Role of African American Vernacular English in Mental Health Diagnosis and Communication
Currently editing