In this analysis I reflected how research reflexivity and professional use of self assisted me in completing my phenomenological doctoral study about African American mothers' experiences of sexual mistreatment and how those experiences influence their child rearing practices within an extended family system. I combined research and social work critical reflection practice paradigms to explore women's motivation for participating in face-to-face interviews, to address methodological challenges during the implementation of the study, to understand and respond to the relational dynamics within the study, and analyze and write my results. I discuss implications for culturally responsive research with survivors of sexual trauma and offer guidelines about reflexive research practices for novice researchers.