Therapy For Black Women
Specialized Therapy for Black Women 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
As Black women we know how difficult it is living in a society that devalues you. You deserve therapy that honors your racial identity and addresses the unique experiences and challenges you face. Whether you're embracing or navigating your racial identity, we here to empower you along your journey.
The current political climate has made therapy for Black women more crucial than ever. With rising racial tensions, increasing hate crimes, and policies that disproportionately affect our community, the emotional toll on Black women is undeniable. These challenges can contribute to heightened stress, anxiety, and trauma, making it essential to have access to therapy that is not only culturally competent but also responsive to the specific issues Black women face.
Are you Facing any of the following Unique Stressors that affect Black Women?
Feeling pressure to always be “strong,” even when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed
Carrying the emotional weight of work, family, and community—often without support
Constantly code-switching to feel accepted or respected in professional spaces
Experiencing burnout but feeling guilty for needing rest or help
Navigating subtle bias or microaggressions that leave you drained and on edge
Feeling unseen, misunderstood, or dismissed when you try to express stress or pain
Struggling with anxiety or irritability while still performing at a high level
Feeling like you have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously
Holding everything together on the outside while feeling depleted on the inside
Difficulty setting boundaries without fear of being labeled “difficult” or “ungrateful”
Carrying generational expectations to be resilient, self-sacrificing, and composed
Feeling isolated because few people truly understand your lived experience
Suppressing emotions to stay professional, productive, and “put together”
Feeling pressure to support others while neglecting your own emotional needs
Wanting help—but not wanting to explain or justify your reality
Longing for a space where you can finally exhale and be fully yourself
Black Women & Mental Health Struggles
For Black women, mental health challenges are often compounded by systemic issues like racism, discrimination, and historical trauma. Studies show that Black women are more likely to experience mental health struggles due to these factors. For example, research reveals that nearly 40% of Black Americans report feeling emotionally distressed from racial discrimination, and that rates of suicide among black youth are adults are rising faster than any other group.
Unfortunately, these struggles are sometimes minimized or overlooked, and access to culturally competent mental health care is limited. Black women are also less likely to seek help, partly due to stigma or the lack of providers who truly understand their experiences. This creates a cycle where mental health issues often go unaddressed, making it even harder to break through those barriers.
Finding support that understands and affirms these experiences is so important for healing and growth.
Mental health struggles are real, and they deserve to be addressed in a way that acknowledges the full picture and all parts of you.
How Therapy For Black Women 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.
Empowerment and Self-Identity: Therapy can help you explore and embrace your cultural identity, strengths, and values, fostering a sense of pride and confidence in who you are.
Building coping strategies and emotional regulation to have healthier ways to manage unique stressors/triggers, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
Improving relationships by learning communication skills, handling conflicts better, and improving relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
Building resilience: Developing the ability to bounce back from setbacks, failures, or difficult racial experiences.
Reducing Internalized Racism or Colorism: Due to negative messages we hear, Black women may internalize negative beliefs about their racial or ethnic group, significantly impacting Self-esteem. Therapy can help challenge and shift these internalized beliefs to promote healthier self-perceptions.
Identity development & Intersectionality: Exploring and understanding one’s personal identity, including--race, sexual orientation, gender, cultural identity and how they intersect/overlap
Support navigating interracial relationships and/or raising a mixed-race child.
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, using a blend of evidence-based practices with validation and empathy:
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 racial trauma and discrimination negatively impacting your mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and core beliefs you have about yourself due to your experiences of racism.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills to manage intense emotions and develop emotional regulation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps you identify your values and goals and how to align them with your actions despite living in a discriminatory environment.
About Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith
I am licensed to provide therapy in 41 states and would be honored to support you on your journey towards self-growth and healing.
As a Black and Latina mixed race first-generation American, I often felt like I didn’t fit into “one” box not being enough of any of my identities. It was difficult navigating the pressure of balancing the cultural values and expectations of my family's heritage with the expectations of American society (collectivist vs individualistic). Having navigated spaces where I was the only one who looked like me in the room, I think 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 have expertise working with interracial couples or those navigating different cultures. I also have expertise in working with mixed race families and raising children who are mixed race and/or have different cultural backgrounds than parents. Lastly, I have experience working with 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 social justice lens for marginalized groups
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 women who are navigating the complexities of racial trauma, identity struggles, and the intersections of race, gender, and culture. I understand firsthand the unique pressures we face in a world that often marginalizes us, and I am committed to providing a space where Black women can feel seen, heard, and empowered. My work centers on acknowledging and validating the pain that comes with racial injustice, while also celebrating the strength, resilience, and beauty inherent in our identities. I believe in the importance of unpacking the layers of intersectionality—how race, gender, class, and other aspects of our identities shape our experiences and mental health. Through our work together, I aim to help clients reclaim their power, embrace their authentic selves, and heal from the trauma that can often feel too heavy to carry alone. Sis, it’s an honor to walk alongside you on your journey to self-discovery, 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, BIPOC 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 and Brown communities facing intergenerational trauma, relationship challenges and the pressure of being "the strong one." I combine warmth, insight and practical tools to help you thrive.
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 BIPOC mothers, individuals and couples experiencing race-related stress.
No worries- we are also running groups including: 1) BLACK MOM’S GROUP and 2) MODERN DATING WOMEN’S GROUP. If interested in either of these groups, fill out form and we can discuss more.
Not Ready For Individual Therapy?
Therapy For Black Women 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.