The Marriage and Family Counseling Division is dedicated to strengthening, restoring, and celebrating Black relationships, families, and communities. We recognize that healthy Black families are the cornerstone of thriving Black communities and that culturally responsive counseling can play a transformative role in promoting healing, love, and generational well-being.

This division provides a space for counselors and mental health professionals to explore the dynamics of Black relationships through the lens of history, culture, systemic challenges, and resilience. Our goal is to equip professionals to support couples and families with approaches that honor cultural identity, collective healing, and the power of connection.

Mission

To empower Black counselors and mental health professionals to strengthen Black love, relationships, and families through culturally grounded, evidence-informed, and community-centered counseling practices that honor the legacy and evolution of the Black family.

Vision

A future where Black families and relationships are supported by a network of counselors who understand their unique strengths, histories, and challenges and where love, communication, and healing thrive across generations.

Values

• Cultural Relevance and Respect — We recognize that Black families are diverse, evolving, and shaped by culture, faith, history, and shared experiences.

• Love and Connection — We promote the understanding that healthy relationships are foundational to individual and collective wellness.

• Healing and Restoration — We help families and couples heal from historical and intergenerational trauma, building patterns of communication and care.

• Equity and Empowerment — We confront systemic barriers that impact Black relationships and advocate for family-friendly and culturally affirming mental health care.

• Community and Legacy — We celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of Black family systems and seek to preserve them for future generations.

• Collaboration and Growth — We foster ongoing learning among counselors and community leaders to improve culturally responsive care for couples and families.

Current Initiatives & Focus Areas

• Black Love and Relationship Wellness — Hosting discussions, workshops, and training that celebrate and support the complexity and beauty of Black love, intimacy, and partnership.

• Strengthening Family Systems — Offering tools and strategies to improve communication, parenting, and multigenerational relationships within the Black family.

• Healing from Intergenerational Trauma — Exploring the effects of systemic racism, historical trauma, and social stressors on Black relationships and family structures — and developing paths toward resilience and recovery.

• Marriage and Family Education — Providing education for counselors on culturally specific approaches to couple and family therapy in Black communities.

• Community and Faith Collaboration — Partnering with faith leaders, educators, and community organizations to promote family wellness and relationship enrichment.

• Mentorship and Professional Development — Creating mentorship opportunities for Black counselors specializing in marriage and family therapy to ensure the next generation of culturally competent clinicians.

Who Should Join

This division is for counselors and mental health professionals who:

• Work with Black couples, families, or individuals navigating relational and generational challenges.

• Are passionate about strengthening marriage, partnership, parenting, and family dynamics in the Black community.

• Seek training and collaboration in culturally informed marriage and family therapy.

• Desire to integrate cultural, spiritual, and systemic awareness into family-focused counseling.

• Believe in the power of love, communication, and connection as foundations for community healing and generational success.

Join us to connect with a community of professionals devoted to uplifting and supporting the emotional, relational, and spiritual wellness of Black couples and families. Together, we are building stronger relationships and stronger communities one family at a time.