Mental Health & Black Children

My experience as a therapist has been shaped by race and culture. As a black woman often entering non-black spaces, I realize the impact that those spaces have on me, as well as the effect I have on those spaces. My love for therapy is rooted in my love for black people, and I have had the honor and privilege of working in predominantly Black and brown schools for my entire school counseling career. It wasn’t until recently that I became aware of this privilege and wanted to use this experience to empower the intersected communities that I hold dear.

As a black woman who is a therapist, I desire to support my community and allies of my community who understand the impact of the state of the world on the developing minds and lives of black children. As a school counselor, I would often be faced with the reality of the trauma that our children and families are facing that go ignored or unaddressed. From police violence and housing inequality to a failing justice system and political mishandling, our children are the victims who suffer the most in the long term.

What are some conversations you have in your communities about how you can uplift and empower your children?