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Doctoral Dissertation Defense
of
Courtney T.K. Chester

For the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy
Counselor of Education and Supervision

CENTERING BLACK WOMEN’S VOICES: A SISTER CIRCLE STUDYOF BARIATRIC PREOPERATIVE COUNSELING EXPERIENCES WITH EMPHASIS ON MENTAL NUTRITIONAL, AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS

Wednesday May 27^, 2026

1 p.m.

124 Nixson Hall

This qualitative study explored the bariatric preoperative counseling experiences of eight Black women who underwent bariatric surgery within the past one to five years and received preoperative counseling from a licensed professional counselor prior to surgery. With particular attention to mental, nutritional, and physical wellness, the study was guided by Interpretive Description methodology and informed by the Indivisible Self Model of Wellness and Black Feminist Thought. Data were collected through culturally responsive Sister Circles designed to center the lived experiences of Black women within the bariatric surgery preparation process. The study examined how participants experienced counseling in relation to holistic wellness, including the extent to which mental, nutritional, and physical wellness were addressed during preoperative counseling. Particular attention was given to how participants described the relevance, depth, and meaning of these counseling experiences within the context of their lived experiences and post-surgical wellness. Findings highlighted the complexity of bariatric preoperative counseling and the role counseling may play in surgical preparation and long-term adjustment following bariatric surgery. This study contributes to the counseling profession by offering insight into culturally responsive, wellness-centered approaches within bariatric care and expanding the profession’s understanding of holistic wellness in counseling practice.