Therapy for Black Girls
“ Stigma is probably a primary reason why lots of people of color struggle with seeking help for mental health concerns. Historically, it’s not something that has been done in our community. Lots of us were raised to feel like what goes on in this house, stays in this house. ”
Go here: For therapy specifically and mental wellness more generally that takes on the unique life experiences and social contexts of Black women and girls.
What you need to know: From providing access to therapists who understand the experiences of Black Women to offering products and publications that destigmatize common mental health issues, Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. It was founded in 2014 as a blog by licensed psychologist (and Oprah Magazine resident) Dr. Joy Harden Bradford after watching the positive energy created in the TV show Black Girls Rock and wanting to apply that same uplifting feeling to Black women’s experience of therapy. With the addition of a directory of Black therapists and a popular podcast in 2017, Therapy for Black Girls has since been recognized by Solange Knowles as the place for Black women to prioritize their own mental health.
Why it matters so much now: Therapy for Black Girls aims to contend with the stigma and mistrust around the practice that has been felt within the Black community. Similarly, therapy has traditionally neglected the specific realities of Black women and girls or reinforced their oppression. The mental wellness sector has similarly failed to contend with issues of collective trauma, systemic racism, and social inequalities of Black Americans. At a moment that Black Lives Matter is advocating for justice and equality, the one profession that needs to take this on is the one that speaks to healing, transformation, and wellbeing, that of therapy.
How to bring this into your life: In addition to their online directory of ‘culturally competent therapists’ that now has over 800 listings (some of whom offer virtual therapy sessions), Therapy for Black Girls also offers an entire online community for Black women called The Yellow Couch Collective: a space for Black women to support one another, connect, learn and thrive (with off-line events that have included a Netflix watch party for Michelle Obama’s Becoming).
In their own words: “So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevents Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. This space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.”
One piece of advice, something to inspire, to do: Listen to the popular weekly mental health podcast (with one million downloads in its first year!), Therapy for Black Girls, hosted by Dr. Joy.
To find out more: Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
If you’ve experienced Therapy for Black Girls or have other resources directed at the mental health of people of colour that you would recommend tell us about them at hello@ifloststarthere.com so we may bring these into our guide.
