Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Molly Boyd
Keywords
humor, African American men, mental health, clinicians, therapeutic relationship, lived experience
Disciplines
Counseling | Education
Recommended Citation
Dyer, Kendrick Germont, "Clinicians’ Use of Humor in Therapy with African American Men: A Phenomenological Study" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8355.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8355
Abstract
This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences of licensed mental health clinicians in the United States who use humor as a therapeutic tool with African American men. It addresses the limited research on humor's culturally complex application in this context, despite its significance as a cultural resource in African American communities. The study aims to understand how clinicians perceive, apply, and adapt humor in culturally congruent ways to promote engagement, emotional safety, and psychological well-being. Data will be collected through semi-structured online interviews with six to ten licensed therapists, utilizing convenience and snowball sampling. Interviews will explore clinicians' rationale for using humor, implementation strategies, and perceived outcomes. Data analysis will involve transcription, coding, and thematic analysis using Delve software. The study seeks to inform culturally competent interventions, enhance therapeutic alliances, and improve mental health outcomes for this historically underserved population by providing practical insights into how humor can foster trust, reduce stigma, and strengthen therapeutic rapport. Ethical considerations will be prioritized throughout the research process, ensuring participant confidentiality and data security. The findings will be valuable for clinical practice, education, and future research on culturally responsive mental health care.
