Therapy And Wellness Resources For Black Mental Health

BLACK LIVES MATTER.
BLACK MINDS MATTER.

Joshua Mcknight / Pexels

Historic oppression, discrimination, and violence against Black Americans has taken its toll on Black mental health in this country. It can be especially hard to cope when you’re faced with constant reminders of modern-day injustices in the news, on social media, and even in daily life. 

Racial trauma is real, and it is a threat to mental health, especially considering that Black people are statistically less likely to seek mental health help. But healing is possible, and it’s important to treat yourself with love and compassion — even as you’re fighting for justice.

There are resources that focus specifically on Black mental health if you’re looking for therapy, self-care, and support right now. The following is a list of virtual resources and amazing organizations ready to help and heal.

Therapy 

THE BORIS LAWRENCE HENSON FOUNDATION 

The BLHF is a nonprofit organization working to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the Black community. They have a directory of mental health providers serving communities of color, and they’ll be reopening applications for free virtual therapy sessions later this year.

THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS

This organization fights the mental health stigma that prevents Black women from seeking mental health care and therapy. They focus on presenting mental health topics in a way that’s more accessible and relevant to Black women and girls. You can find a therapist, listen to their podcast, and read their blog for tons of helpful information. 

THERAPY FOR BLACK MEN

Therapy for Black Men is an organization working to help change the narrative around Black men seeking mental health support and helping men find the resources they need. The website has a directory of therapists and a collection of blog posts, news articles, and personal stories about Black men’s mental health. The organization also sponsors free therapy sessions for men who are concerned about the cost of therapy.

INCLUSIVE THERAPISTS

This is a database of therapists that are trained to address racial trauma and provide culturally sensitive care. Many of the therapists within the network offer teletherapy and work on a sliding scale to make therapy more accessible to everyone. 

LOVELAND FOUNDATION

The Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways. Loveland’s therapy fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy.

Virtual Classes & Support Groups

BLACK MEN HEAL

This Philadelphia-based organization’s goal is to provide community resources and access to mental health treatment to Black men at reduced rates by therapists of color. Right now, they're offering a virtual support group, called “King’s Corner”. Each session addresses a different topic every Sunday evening. 

BLACK MENTAL WELLNESS

This organization provides access to mental health information and resources by Black people, for Black people. They share resources for coping and wellness, with relaxation strategies, wellness videos, and fact sheets about Black mental health. 

HEALING BLACK WOMEN

A safe space designed to encourage and promote healing and wellness for Black women. It features original videos like Protecting Your Mind & Peace While Black In America and Dealing With & Overcoming Fear, in addition to blog posts, podcasts, and other helpful resources. 

HEALHAUS

HealHaus is a Black-owned wellness space on a mission to provide accessible and inclusive healing through a variety of modalities — yoga, meditation, coaching, energy healing, and more. You can drop in to one of their live online classes or sign up for a monthly membership to attend regularly.  Some of their upcoming classes include Grounded Mindfulness Meditation and Release and Restore Yoga.

SISTA AFYA

Sista Afya is a Chicago-based organization that offers low-cost virtual workshops, group therapy sessions, and support groups. They primarily serve Black women between ages 18-35, and they offer their services for under $35 per session. They also have some free therapy spots for those who qualify, as well as free resources for mental wellness. 

BLACK EMOTIONAL & MENTAL HEALTH COLLECTIVE (BEAM)

BEAM is an organization that uses social justice-informed mental health practices to help in the healing and liberation of the Black community. In addition to their resources, toolkits, and Black virtual wellness directory, they also host virtual events and classes. They regularly host online peer support spaces, including identity-specific sessions for people of certain genders, sexualities, professions, and experiences. 

Self-Care Apps 

THE SAFE PLACE

This free app is geared towards people within the Black community to provide awareness, education, and hope to African American mental health. Through the app, you can access breathing techniques, videos, articles, open forum discussions, and self-care tips for topics impacting Black mental health and wellness.

ELEVATE

Elevate is a free app that was designed to address the specific issues of the Black community that were not being met in other self-care and wellness apps. It provides guidance and inspiration to overcome adversity, helps you set goals and create healthy habits, and connects you with wellness experts and mental health professionals. 

LIBERATE

Liberate is a meditation app designed for the Black community, featuring talks and meditations led by BIPOC teachers. They have a library of over 260 meditations, which focus on mental health topics as well as common cultural experiences. Some of their popular meditations and talks include The Joy of Gratitude, Mindfulness of Healing, and For The Ancestor In You. Access their collection for $9.99 a month or $71.99 a year. 

Social Media Creators

TÁMARA HILL

 Támara is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma therapist with 14 years of professional mental health experience — and you can learn from her expertise for free on her YouTube channel. There, she gives information and tips about coping with family trauma and dysfunction. 

RASHAWNDA JAMES

This licensed therapist’s YouTube channel is the place where “self-care, healing, and laughter meet.” Rashawnda’s videos range from meditation guides to journaling tips to self-care ideas.  

SIMONE SAUNDERS

On her TikTok account @thecognitivecorner, Simone (who earned her Masters in Social Work) helps people make sense of their trauma and cultivate healthy relationships with themselves and others. She has quick breakdowns on negative self-talk, boundaries, self-regulation, attachment, and more. 

DR. RAQUEL MARTIN

Dr. Martin (@raquelmartinphd on TikTok) is fighting back against culturally incompetent mental health care. Through her videos, she sheds light on the process of finding, accessing, and attending therapy. She also lends her expertise as a licensed clinical psychologist in videos discussing perfectionism, power struggles, and giving yourself grace. 

MELANIN AND MENTAL HEALTH

This Instagram account (@melaninandmentalhealth) was founded by therapists Eliza Boquin and Eboni Harris to serve the mental health needs of communities of color. They post inspiration, tips, reminders, and other resources for mental wellness and healing. 

DR. MARIEL BUQUÉ

On Instagram and TikTok (@dr.marielbuque), Dr. Buqué gives coping skills, tips, mantras, and other resources for healing. She’s best known for her therapy tea sessions on TikTok, where she dispenses her wisdom over a freshly poured cup of tea. (Check out her article on Race-Based Traumatic Stress on the IDONTMIND Journal.)

RWENSHAUN MILLER

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Rwenshaun (@rwenshaun) set out to break down the stigma around mental health in communities of color. He’s a psychotherapist, author, and non-profit founder, and he continues to be an agent of change on Instagram (@rwenshaun) and YouTube.

MINAA B.

Minaa is a therapist and licensed master social worker (LMSW) who bridges mental health, social justice, and community care. Her Instagram (@minaa_b) is full of insight and education, with a focus on self-care and personal growth.  

IMANI TUTT

If you’re on a healing journey, Imani’s Instagram (@imani.intouch) is an empowering space for personal development. As a marriage and family therapist, Imani offers resources for mending your relationship with yourself and those around you. 

DR. JENNIFER MULLAN

Also known as “the rage doctor,” Dr. Mullan is dismantling legacies of oppression within mental health treatment and education. Her Instagram (@decolonizingtherapy) explores topics like historical and intergenerational trauma, protest trauma, and internalized capitalism.

DR. KOJO SARFO

Through skits, songs, and videos, Dr. Kojo spreads awareness of mental health conditions and the importance of self-care. He was diagnosed with ADHD while earning his doctorate, and it’s a topic he touches on frequently in hisTikTok videos (@dr.kojosarfo) — along with other conditions like anxiety, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and more. 

—

We will continue to update this list moving forward. And if you have an organization or virtual resource you’d like to share please email us at info@idontmind.com.