Searching For a Black Therapist Right Now? Let This Resource Be Your Guide

Updated on 6/4/2020 at 11:10 AM

If you're a Black woman looking for a therapist or another kind of mental health professional, it's likely that you're seeking out the help of another Black woman, according to licensed psychologist Joy Harden Bradford, PhD. "Many Black women and girls have stated a preference for a therapist who looks like them because there is an expectation of being really 'seen' by someone else who has likely experienced life in some similar ways," she told POPSUGAR. There's also, she said, this desire to not have to explain certain things and to attain a space that feels affirming.

Marline Francois-Madden, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey whom we've interviewed in the past, agreed. "If you have someone that may be of Caribbean descent, or you have someone that is of African descent, like West African, maybe that therapist may understand more because they understand the culture," she told POPSUGAR. At the end of the day, it's about connection.

Dr. Bradford said that mental health affects the Black community in the same way it does everyone else, but there are added factors like discrimination, poverty, and racism that exacerbate everyday stressors. Additionally, Black people face lots of microaggressions in the workplace as well, Francois-Madden added.

For Black women in particular, Francois-Madden explained that a lot of discussion in therapy is based on the idea that they can't speak up at work for fear of appearing aggressive. "You find yourself remaining silent, or you find that you have to work 10 times harder than your counterparts just for them to see you at work," she said. "It's like you're constantly pushing, you're trying to advocate for yourself, and it becomes very tiring."

Additionally, Dr. Bradford believes there's a greater stigma against mental illness in the Black community. And that, she said, is something she's aiming to help change with Therapy For Black Girls, her popular community for Black women, and her podcast of the same name. It's on the Therapy For Black Girls website that you'll find a registry complete with Black women mental health professionals (note: therapists do pay a monthly fee to be included on the platform and must either be independently licensed or under the supervision of a licensed therapist, Dr. Bradford said).

Francois-Madden concluded that it's important, particularly for Black girls, to have Black women who are invested in them. Finding the right resources is key. Ahead, check out 15 Black mental health professionals. They have all been included in Dr. Bradford's Therapy For Black Girls registry at one point, and they have all given POPSUGAR permission to list them in this article. You can find the full registry here.

Chevonna Gaylor

Chevonna Gaylor is a licensed marriage and family therapist with specialities in working with at-risk youth, people who've experienced trauma, and those who are seeking relationship and communication counseling. She's also the author of The Emerging Healer, and according to her website, she breaks down mental health in an easy, accessible way.

Gaylor's website: chevonna.com

Gaylor's Instagram: @chevonnalmft

Natalie Jones

Natalie Jones, PsyD, is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and psychotherapist in California. She's the owner of Lifetime Counseling and Consulting and offers group and individual therapy. She's also the host of A Date With Darkness Podcast. In her Therapy For Black Girls profile, Dr. Jones writes, "I specialize in working with women of color who feel as though they are unloved, unwanted, abused, and not good enough in their relationships."

Dr. Jones's website: drnataliejones.com

Dr. Jones's Instagram: @dr.nataliejones

See Dr. Jones's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Eunice Mingo Blakely

Eunice Mingo Blakely, LPC, is a psychotherapist licensed in Alabama and Georgia. She is also a master addiction counselor, meaning she's certified to work with people who are struggling with substance abuse, and a national certified counselor (NCC). She has experience servicing those with depression, trauma, anxiety, and more, and her practice offers sports performance, family, group, and individual therapy.

Mingo Blakely's website: ecmcounseling.com

Mingo Blakely's Instagram: @euniceblakely1

See Mingo Blakely's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Tatiana Smith Robinson

Licensed professional counselor supervisor (LPC-S) Tatiana Smith Robinson, located in Texas, specializes in marriage counseling. She's also the host of podcast Talking Off the Couch. According to her former Therapy For Black Girls profile, she works with couples who are dealing with infidelity, lack of intimacy, and communication issues. She indicates that she provides services for youth as well in regards to stress, anxiety, self-esteem issues, etc.

Smith Robinson's website: tsmithcounseling.com

Smith Robinson's Instagram: @tatianasmith_lpcs

See Smith Robinson's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Dana Crawford

Dana Crawford, PhD, who has degrees in nursing and clinical psychology among other areas, states on her website that she is formally trained in trauma- and grief-focused therapy, hypnosis, and parenting training, as well as "autism evaluation, chronic disease management, assisting with experiences related to LGBTQ, habit disorders, and generalized stress and anxiety." Her former Therapy For Black Girls profile said that for anxiety and depression specifically, she has training in Alpha-Stim, which is a nonmedication electrotherapy treatment.

Dr. Crawford's website: drdanacrawford.com

Dr. Crawford's Instagram: @drdanacrawford

Nedra Glover Tawwab

Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist in North Carolina and the founder of group therapy practice Kaleidoscope Counseling. She has additional certifications in working with families and couples, and according to her website, she can address adults going through perinatal mood and anxiety disorders or childhood emotional neglect.

Glover Tawwab's website: nedratawwab.com

Glover Tawwab's Instagram: @nedratawwab

Yunetta Smith

Yunetta Smith is a licensed professional counselor and mental health service provider (LPC-MHSP) and a national certified counselor (NCC) based in Tennessee. She specializes in helping individuals navigate through life's changes, according to her Therapy For Black Girls page. If you're feeling stuck in a negative cycle or coping with triggers from your past, she can help. Smith is also certified in the psychotherapy technique of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Smith's website: springforthcounseling.org

Smith's Instagram: @springforthcounseling

See Smith's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Chaute Thompson

Chaute Thompson is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida and Georgia. She's the owner of Inspiring Hope Counseling Services as well as the consulting firm Brand New Me, LLC. As a therapist, she aids those going through divorce or any other type of life transition. Thompson also offers faith-based services as an option.

Thompson's website: chautethompson.com

Thompson's Instagram: @chautethompson

See Thompson's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Kiaundra Jackson

Kiaundra Jackson is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California. She's been featured in a slew of magazines and newspapers, and according to her website, she specializes in improving intimacy between individuals. She authored The Art of Relationships and Staying Sane in an Insane World.

Jackson's website: kwcouplestherapy.com

Jackson's Instagram: @kiaundrajackson

See Jackson's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Shaketa Robinson-Bruce

Shaketa Robinson-Bruce, LPC, NCC, has a private practice in Georgia called Open Arms Counseling Center that focuses on helping you "work through past hurt and make positive changes." She aids women facing the demands of motherhood and work, minorities who've been impacted by discrimination, and those experiencing trauma.

Robinson-Bruce's website: openarmscounselingcenter.com

Robinson-Bruce's Instagram: @openarmscounseling

See Robinson-Bruce's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Marline Francois-Madden

Marline Francois-Madden, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of New Jersey whom we interviewed for this article. She's the author of a self-help book entitled The State of Black Girls. Francois-Madden works with teens and millennials dealing with anxiety and depression and has training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy as well as mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Francois-Madden's website: marlinefrancois.com

Francois-Madden's Instagram: @marlinefrancois

See Francois-Madden's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Chanta Blue

Chanta Blue is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and sex and relationship therapist in New Jersey. She specializes in providing services for young adults, women of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. "Whether you struggle with sexual challenges, can't seem to find your ideal mate, or you are looking for ways to embrace your sexual identity, I provide a safe and comfortable environment that makes sharing easy and less threatening," she writes on her Therapy For Black Girls profile.

Blue's website: bluewellnesscenter.com

Blue's Instagram: @nj_sextherapist

See Blue's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Katrina Pointer

Katrina Pointer is a licensed psychotherapist in Georgia. According to her website, she specifically specializes in reducing anxiety in Black women, and she also offers premarital and marriage counseling. Her private practice, Love Therapy and Consulting LLC, focuses on providing services for Black women and those in relationships.

Pointer's website: katrinapointer.com

Pointer's Instagram: @katrinapointer

See Pointer's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Monica E. Jackson

Monica Jackson, PhD, who earned a doctorate of philosophy in counselor education and supervision, is a licensed professional counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor. She works with teens, young adults, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, stress management, and more. She also offers couples counseling and services for those with disabilities. She is currently based in Texas.

Dr. Jackson's website: iwincounseling.com

Dr. Jackson's Instagram: @lpc_mej

See Dr. Jackson's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.

Glenna Anderson

Glenna Anderson is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of California and has her doctorate of social work (DSW) from USC. She specializes in treating anxiety-based disorders such as generalized anxiety and social anxiety, as well as trauma. According to her website, she also works with those who've experienced emotional abuse and offers individual therapy and group workshops.

Dr. Anderson's website: drglenna.com

Dr. Anderson's Instagram: @drglennalcsw

See Dr. Anderson's Therapy For Black Girls Profile here.