Utilizing the 3EM Model in Advocating

for African American Males in Becoming

Counselors and Counselor Educators.

Dr. Jason Branch, LPC, NCC, ACS

Bridging the Gap Symposium

November 13, 2021

Overview

-Rationale of the study

-Literature Review

-Participants of the Study

-What’s Trending

-A Model for Change (3EM Model)

-Support and Advocacy

Rationale for the study?

The counseling profession has evolved over the years from traditional White men

and women dominating the profession to a more diverse culture of helping

professionals that vary in race, gender, and age.

The African American community has been underserved and underrepresented in

the counseling profession for many years. More specifically, African American

men are underrepresented as clients, counselors, and counselor educators

(Bradley & Holcomb-McCoy, 2002).

Literature Review?

Despite many innovations in the counseling profession, men participate in

counseling at a lower rate compared to women (Evans, Duffey & Englar-

Carlson, 2013).

Men have underutilized counseling services for years due to beliefs, traditional

gender roles, and concerns of masculinity (Evans et al., 2013).

Traditional male gender roles have also made an impact on men choosing not to

seek assistance from utilizing counseling services (Evans et al., 2013).

Years of conditioning, inaccurate information about mental health and

counseling within their community has served as a barrier for African American

men when considering participating in counseling (Kohli, 2016).

Participants Pseudonym Age Range

(27 to 55)

Marital Status Religion Highest Level of

Education

Years in

Profession

Independent License/

Provisional License

Work Setting Position or

Title

Henry 40’s Married Christian Doctorate 10-15yrs PL College/

University

Assistant Professor

Charles 40’s Partnered/not legally married N/A Doctorate 15+ IL College/

University

Assistant Professor

Eugene 20’s Single Christian Masters 3-5 years PL College/

University

Doctoral Student

Nathaniel 40’s Single Christian Doctorate 15+ IL-Supervisor Private Practice

College/

University

Clinical

Supervisor/Adjunct

Faculty

George 50’s Single Christian Doctorate 10-15yrs PL Private Practice

College/

University

Assistant Professor

Robert 40’s Single Baptist Doctorate 7-10yrs IL College/

University

Assistant Professor

Vertner 30’s Married Christian Doctorate 7-10yrs IL College/

University

Assistant Professor

Charlie 30’s Married Christian Doctorate 5-7yrs IL College/

University

Assistant Professor

Gregory 40’s Married Christian Doctorate 15+ IL College/

University

Associate Professor

(Tenured)

Emmanuel 30’s Single N/A Doctorate 7-10yrs IL College/

University

Assistant Professor

James 30’s Married Christian Masters 1-3yrs PL Private Practice Graduate Counselor

Jalen 40’s Married Christian Doctorate 15+ IL Private Practice

College/

University

Administrator &

Associate Professor

(Tenured)

What’s Trending?

What do we know about Black Men? Who are they?

What are the Roles, Values and Responsibilities?

Ideas of the daily stress, struggle, and concerns of Black Men?

What is the perspective about counseling, mental health, support and

assistance for Black Men?

The negative stigma of counseling and mental health continues to serve as a

barrier for African Americans who are seeking counseling (Masuda,

Anderson, & Edmonds, 2012).

There are two forms of stigma that contribute to the resistance: self-stigma

and public stigma. (Wester, Arndt, Sedivy, & Arndt, 2010)

African American men have more negative attitudes about counseling and

mental health than woman. (Wester et al., 2010)

What’s Trending cont.

Factors that serves as barriers for African

American Males:

Cultural and Systematic Barriers to Counseling

Stigma of Counseling within the African American Community

Cultural Norms, Values and Beliefs

Effects of Slavery and Systematic Racism

Cultural Mistrust and Conflict

Stereotyping of the African American Male

Gender Roles, Masculinity and Religion

Results of the Study

At the conclusion of the data analysis, the researcher was able to identify five main themes for the current study.

1. The value of Mentorship

2. The negative stigma related to counseling still serves as a barrier

3. The lack of the representation of the Black Man in the profession

4. The lack of diversity, inclusion, and the value of the Black man in the profession

5. The importance of recruitment and retention of Black Men in the profession

The 3EM Model

The 3EM Model

Exposure

Education

Engage

Mentor

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The 3EM Model

Exposure

Choice

Education

Engage

Mentor

WE IN HERE!!!!!

The 3EM Model: Lived Experiences

Exposure

“I can’t be what I can’t see.” -Jalen

Education

“I was told that Black people don’t do therapy. Black people definitely don’t become therapists.” –Charlie

Engage

“I really believe that there's a lot of Black males with plenty of potential that just need the guidance.” - James

Mentor

“I was inspired or encouraged by someone who was in the counseling profession .” -Eugene

Now that I know. What do I do?

-Display compassion and empathy

-Serve as an advocate and ally

-Provide support and guidance

-Create efforts to recruit and retain African American men

-Let them know that you see them

-Be mindful of what you can control vs. what you cannot control

-Utilize the 3EM Model

Support and Advocacy

Be mindful of your speech

Have some uncomfortable conversations

Start at Home

Model Behavior

Become an advocate for the profession and your network

Try Therapy

Questions

Presenter Contact Info

Dr. Jason Branch, LPC, ACS, NCC

www.DrJbranch.com

@Jason Branch @DrJbranch