Black Mental Health Therapy
Black Mental Health in NYC
Specialized Therapy for Black Individuals and Couples is essential for addressing our unique cultural challenges and promoting healing in a safe, affirming space.
Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith
Vernee Brooks, LPC, LMHC
Christine Pacheco, LMSW
We are an all-Black team of clinicians devoted to advancing Black mental health and creating spaces where our community feels seen, understood, and supported. It’s essential to have access to therapy that is not only culturally competent but also evidence-based. Whether you're navigating racial stress, anxiety, trauma, motherhood, career burnout or relationship difficulties, we’re here to empower you along your journey.
The emotional toll of racial discrimination and bias
Microaggressions at work, school, or in social settings
Generational and historical trauma
Code-switching fatigue and identity pressure
Challenges with self-worth, anxiety, depression, or burnout
Feeling alone or unseen in mental health spaces
Common Stressors Black Individuals May Face
Therapy & Mental Health Support for Black Individuals
At Empowered Mind Therapy Group, we recognize that mental health experiences are shaped by more than individual symptoms — they’re shaped by identity, culture, history, and society. Black individuals often carry the emotional weight of systemic racism, discrimination, and generational trauma, all of which can deeply impact mental well-being. Research shows that experiences like racial stress, microaggressions, and oppression contribute to emotional distress, yet these struggles are frequently minimized, misunderstood, or overlooked in traditional mental health settings.
We believe therapy should be a space where your full self — including your cultural background, lived experiences, and values — is honored, understood, and integrated into your healing journey. Many Black clients report feeling unseen, having to justify their pain, or carrying the expectation to be resilient without support. At EMTG, we work to validate the real psychological impact of these experiences and support meaningful growth and relief.
Therapy for Black Individuals:
Our Specialties
Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Depression
Couples Support via Couples Therapy
Health Issues & navigating chronic illness
Perfectionism & High Achiever Stress
Confidence & Self-Esteem
Career Stress and/or Career Pivot
Toxic Workplace and/or workplace discrimination
Intersectionality (LGBTQIA+)
Relationship Issues (including dating and conflict with friends or family)
Grief & Loss (of others & also who you used to be)
TESTIMONIAL
How Black Mental Health Therapy At
EMTG Helps
Healing from Racial Trauma: Many of us experience microaggressions, discrimination, and racism, which can lead to emotional and psychological wounds. Therapy can help process these experiences, reduce their emotional impact, and build resilience.
Managing Career Stress and Burnout: Through culturally affirming, trauma-informed care, we help Black individuals process workplace stress, strengthen boundaries, address perfectionism and over-responsibility, and reconnect with their values. Together, we work toward sustainable success—where achievement does not come at the cost of mental health, identity, or well-being.
Empowerment and Self-Identity (Reducing Internalized Racism & Colorism): Therapy can help you explore and embrace your identity, strengths, and values, fostering a sense of pride and confidence in who you are. Therapy can help challenge and shift internalized beliefs to promote healthier self-perceptions.
Building coping strategies and emotional regulation to have healthier ways to manage unique stressors/triggers, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs.
Improving relationships by learning communication skills to better handle conflicts.
Identity development & Intersectionality: Exploring and understanding one’s personal identity, including--race, sexual orientation, gender, cultural identity and how they intersect/overlap
Parenting Concerns: Supporting your child in exploring and understanding their identity — including race, gender, sexual orientation, and cultural background — can feel especially complex in today’s climate. Many parents are navigating how to affirm their child’s evolving sense of self while also managing concerns about safety, discrimination, school environments, and societal messaging. Therapy provides space to process these worries, strengthen communication, and build confidence in supporting your child’s identity in ways that foster resilience, self-worth, and emotional security.
Couples support for those seeking pre-marital counseling, improvement in communication, parent support or support navigating interracial relationships.
Therapeutic Techniques We’ll
Use in Therapy
As therapists who understand cultural nuances, we offer more personalized and effective treatment. Our approach to therapy for Black women is integrative and strengths-based, using a blend of evidence-based practices with validation and empathy while tapping into strength already there:
Culturally Affirmative/Multicultural Therapy prioritizes your background and all of your identities so you feel seen and validated in your experiences.
Trauma-Informed Therapy helps you process and heal from trauma negatively impacting your mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and core beliefs you have about yourself.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills to manage intense emotions and develop emotional regulation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you identify your values and goals and how to align them with your actions despite living in a discriminatory environment.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps Black couples strengthen emotional connection by addressing attachment wounds, communication breakdowns, and the impact of stress on the relationship. In a culturally affirming space, couples can safely explore how racial stress, family dynamics, and external pressures influence their bond while building deeper trust, understanding, and security together.
About Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith
I am licensed to provide therapy in 41 states.
As a Black first-generation American, I often felt torn between different worlds. It was difficult navigating the pressure of balancing the cultural values and expectations of my family's heritage with the expectations of American society. Having navigated spaces where I was the only one who looked like me in the room, it’s so important to have a space where you feel safe to process all parts of your identity. Together, we’ll help you cultivate self-acceptance of who you are, set boundaries, discover pathways for activism and recover from burnout.
I’m really passionate about helping Black parents navigate parenting concerns, those with chronic illness, career/work stress, and burnout. I have extensive experience working with physicians, attorneys and entrepreneurs. I have expertise working with interracial couples, mixed race families and transracial adoptees.
Education
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Seton Hall University (Health Psychology & Child/Adolescent Focus)
Psychology Residency, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center
MS in Forensic Psychology, Walden University
Medical School (3 years), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School
BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University
Credentials
Advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and use of these theoretical approaches with anti-racist perspective.
Trained by experts in the field in multicultural therapy & multicultural competency for clinicians.
Expertise in workplace discrimination & racial trauma.
About Vernee Brooks, LPC, LMHC
I am licensed for therapy in New York, New Jersey & Texas.
As a Black female therapist, I am deeply passionate about supporting Black individuals navigating the complexities of racial trauma, identity development, and the intersections of race, gender, and culture and how those aspects affect our mental health. I understand the unique pressures many of us face in a world that can feel invalidating or marginalizing, and I am committed to creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.
My work centers on acknowledging and validating the emotional impact of racial injustice while also honoring the strength, resilience, and richness inherent in our identities. I have specialized experience working with trauma survivors, individuals managing anxiety, and those facing relationship challenges, recognizing how these struggles are often shaped by personal history, systemic stress, and relational dynamics. I’m also passionate about working with creatives and supporting those who are neurodivergent or parents of neurodivergent kids.
Through our work together, I aim to help clients process trauma, reduce anxiety, strengthen relationships, and reconnect with their sense of agency and authenticity. Therapy is a collaborative space where healing becomes possible, burdens feel more manageable, and growth can take root. It is an honor to walk alongside clients in their journey toward self-understanding, healing, and empowerment.
Education
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Walden University
BA in Psychology, Rutgers University
Credentials
Advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Expertise in anxiety and panic attacks due to race-related stressors particularly for Black women, Black identity exploration, and body image issues.
About Christine Pacheco, LMSW
I am licensed for therapy in New York.
As a therapist of Jamaican and Puerto Rican descent, I'm deeply committed to supporting Black adults facing intergenerational trauma, relationship challenges and the pressure of being "the strong one." I’m also passionate about supporting Black couples with communication issues and transitioning to parents. I combine warmth, insight and practical tools to help you thrive.
I particularly enjoy working with Black adults navigating anxiety, and life transitions such as career shifts or becoming parents. I provide a space to problem solve, explore your fears around the unknown, strengthen self-trust and gain clarity on redefining yourself. Additionally, I have expertise in supporting Black adults in corporate environments. If you're ready to create lasting change, we can work together to help you feel grounded, connected and more at ease within yourself and with others. Let's begin your journey toward the life and relationships you deserve.
Education
Master of Social Work, Fordham University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Brooklyn College
Credentials
Advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-based therapy, Person-Centered therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Expertise in supporting Black adults, Black mothers, and couples experiencing race-related stress.
Black Women Mental Health FAQs
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A: A therapist who understands or shares your cultural background can provide a more empathetic, relevant, and effective approach to therapy. They are likely to be more sensitive to cultural nuances and systemic issues that might affect your mental health, such as racial trauma, discrimination, and acculturation stress. This understanding can help foster a stronger therapeutic alliance and create a safe space for you to express yourself.
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A: Therapy should be a safe and validating space where you can discuss any challenges you face, including those related to your racial or ethnic identity. As culturally competent therapists, we will recognize and honor the importance of your background, whether discussing racial trauma, microaggressions, or navigating multiple cultural identities. We are open to exploring how systemic oppression may impact your mental health.
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We go at your pace! We strive to help our clients feel empowered and part of that is respecting boundaries that you set. It’s understandable to feel hesitant about discussing your race or cultural background, and the hope is once you feel like you’re in a safe and open environment, you’ll feel comfortable to share. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsure, please tell us. We’re in this together.
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A: Therapy can help you explore the different aspects of your identity, including how your culture influences your values, relationships, and goals. Together, we can navigate any conflicts you may feel between honoring your cultural background and adapting to societal expectations, offering support in finding a balance that aligns with your true self.
Getting Started Together
We’ll meet you where you are at. Our approach is compassionate and collaborative, with a focus on building trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Get started with a free consultation, we will schedule time to chat and discuss what’s bringing you to therapy and how we would work together. It’s your time to ask questions and figure out if we’re right for you.