Transforming Trauma: Episode 132

All parents face challenges. Black fathers, however, navigate a unique combination of social and intrapersonal pressures, often without the benefit of culturally nuanced support. That’s changing as more Black fathers, some of whom are also mental health clinicians, educators, or adjacent professionals, speak out about their experiences, create networks of knowledgeable care, and inspire others to seek counseling. But there’s always room for improvement, whether that’s confronting the systemic dynamics undermining the legacy of Black fathers or training clinicians to offer the right kind of help.

 

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes award-winning counselor, educator, researcher, and author Dr. Michael Hannon to expand on the themes featured in his book Black Fathering and Mental Health: Black Fathers’ Narratives on Raising Their Children Across the Family Life Cycle. He is a mental health counselor at the Center for M.A.R.C.U.S and co-founder, alongside his wife, Dr. LaChan Hannon, of the nonprofit organization Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center. 

 

“I get the privilege of researching things that make me curious, and that’s primarily Black fathers’ mental health and wellbeing.” Michael’s desire to better understand the complexities of Black fatherhood led him to the three Ps––protect, provide, prepare––a set of values shared amongst the fathers and would-be-fathers featured in his book. While fathers, in general, have long been socialized to think of the three Ps in solely financial terms, effectively severing them from their innate emotional power, Michael notes that traditional supports fail Black fathers further by perpetuating institutionalized harm. 

 

Michael hopes his work will invite mental health practitioners to get curious about the traumas that Black fathers experience and be intentional about the kind of help they wish to embody. “If I’m bold, courageous, and humble enough to be like, ‘Yo! I just wanna be the right kind of help,’ like, that’s it,” he says. “And the right kind of help could be me shutting my mouth and just listening.”

 

Transforming Trauma appreciates Michael’s insight and advocacy on behalf of Black fathers. His thoughtful approach to disrupting harmful tropes and preparing the next generation of healing professionals is deeply inspiring.

 

RECOMMENDED EPISODES

Transforming Trauma Episode 120: From Pain to Purpose: Navigating the Pressures of Fatherhood, Isolation and Loss with Adam Angel

Transforming Trauma Episode 112: A Former NFL Player on Overcoming Childhood Trauma through Belonging With Gaelin Elmore

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Black Fathering and Mental Health: Black Fathers’ Narratives on Raising Their Children Across the Family Life Cycle

The Center For M.A.R.C.U.S

Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center

 

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Dr. Michael Hannon is an award-winning counselor educator and researcher, a practicing counselor, and an author. He is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Montclair State University, a mental health counselor at The Center for MARCUS, and the co-founder of the non-profit organization, Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center, with his wife, Dr. LaChan (pronounced La-Shon) Hannon.

 

He is the author of over 30 publications and has been cited over 500 times. His 2022 edited book, Black Fathering and Mental Health, and overall research about the mental health of Black men and fathers has been highlighted in a range of media outlets, including National Public Radio, New York Times, Autism Speaks, Thrive Global, Huffington Post, Waymaker Journal, and Black Enterprise.