Finding a Black Mental Health Directory Isn’t Just About Convenience — It’s About Feeling Understood

Searching for a therapist who truly understands our lived experience? 

Searching for therapy can feel vulnerable. For many of us, therapy isn’t just about anxiety or depression. It’s about navigating racial/cultural stress, generational expectations, legacy burdens, identity fatigue, relationship dynamics, and systemic barriers — all at once.

That’s why using a trusted mental health directory that centers BIPOC folks matters.

Representation in therapy changes the room. It shifts the energy. It builds trust faster. It reduces the emotional labor of explaining your cultural background before you can even begin healing.

At MyMindset NYC Counseling, I’ve worked with clients who say things like:

  • “I want to be able to show up as me”

  • “I want someone who just gets it.”

  • “I want therapy to feel safe.”

You deserve that.

Whether you’re exploring a national directory or looking specifically for a Black holistic therapist near me, the goal is the same: to find a space where your story doesn’t need translation.

Why Use a Black Mental Health Directory?

Finding the right culturally competent psychotherapist can feel overwhelming. A specialized mental health directory decided to listing Black therapists helps streamline your search by allowing you to:

  • Filter by race and cultural background

  • Search by city, state, or telehealth availability

  • Review therapists’ specialties and treatment approaches

  • Confirm accepted insurance plans

  • Find clinicians experienced in racial trauma, anxiety, depression, family dynamics, and etc. 

Culturally aligned therapy often strengthens the therapeutic relationship. Research and my years of clinical experience has shown that when folks feel culturally seen and understood they are more likely to feel connected and have increased positive results within therapy.  

Where to find directories of licensed black therapists in the US?

1. Clinicians of Color Directory

Website: https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org

The Clinicians of Color Directory allows you to search for therapists of color, including Black therapist online, by city and state. You can filter results by:

  • Therapy type

  • Age group

  • Insurance accepted

  • Specialization

  • Telehealth vs. in-person sessions

This platform is especially helpful if you're looking for flexible care options and want to compare multiple providers quickly.

2. Psychology Today – Black & African American Therapists

Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com

Psychology Today offers a wide range of affordable counseling services with black therapists in my area and the national area. Each clinician's profile includes:

  • Clinical background

  • Treatment modalities

  • Accepted insurance

  • Client focus areas

  • Personal philosophy

Many profiles discuss the importance of cultural understanding and representation in therapy, helping you decide if the provider feels like the right fit.

3. National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)

Website: https://www.nabcounselors.org

The National Association of Black Counselors offers a directory focused on culturally relevant counseling services. Specialties often include:

  • Substance abuse recovery

  • Trauma-informed therapy

  • Family counseling

  • Community-based services

NABC is a valuable resource for those seeking professionals committed to culturally responsive mental health support.

4. Black Therapists Matter (BTM)

Website: https://www.blacktherapistsmatter.com

Black Therapists Matter (BTM) is a wellness-centered directory connecting Black folks with Black psychotherapists and holistic wellness providers. The platform emphasizes the mind–body–spirit connection and includes:

  • Licensed therapists

  • Massage therapists

  • Holistic practitioners

  • Virtual care options

This directory is ideal if you're seeking integrated wellness support alongside traditional therapy.

5. Melanin & Mental Health®

Website: https://www.melaninandmentalhealth.com

Melanin & Mental Health® promotes therapy within Black and Latinx communities and actively works to reduce stigma around mental health care. Their directory helps you find clinicians who:

  • Understand cultural nuances

  • Support identity-affirming care

  • Provide trauma-informed services

The platform centers community empowerment and culturally attuned healing spaces.

6. Inclusive Therapists

Website: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com

Inclusive Therapists is a social justice–oriented mental health directory committed to equity, diversity, and culturally affirming care. While not exclusively a Black mental health directory, it offers powerful filtering options to help you find Black psychotherapists and clinicians who center racial identity, lived experience, and intersectionality in their work.

This platform is especially valuable because it prioritizes:

  • Practice anti-racist and anti-oppressive care

  • Affirm BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and marginalized identities

  • Offer sliding-scale and accessible therapy options

  • Provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services

Inclusive Therapists allows you to search by race, ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, language, insurance type, and therapeutic approach. This makes it easier to find a clinician who understands not just your cultural background, but your full identity and lived experiences.

One of the standout features of Inclusive Therapists is its commitment to mental health equity. Many providers listed actively advocate for systemic change while supporting clients navigating racial trauma, discrimination, generational stress, and life transitions.

For individuals seeking therapy that acknowledges the broader social and cultural context of mental health, Inclusive Therapists is a strong and trusted resource.

Additional Black Mental Health Resources

You may also explore these affirming directories:

Each of these platforms prioritizes culturally competent and socially conscious care.

How to choose a Black therapist online

Once you've identified a potential provide, consider the following steps:

  1. Schedule a consultation call.

  2. Ask about their experience working with issues similar to yours.

  3. Discuss therapy style (CBT, psychodynamic, Somatic, IFS, EMDR, etc.).

  4. Confirm fees and insurance coverage.

  5. Notice how comfortable and understood you feel during the conversation.

Therapy is personal. The right fit matters.

How to Find a Trusted Therapist in NYC

You’ve explored national directories. You’ve learned what to look for. Now let’s make it personal.

At MyMindset NYC Counseling, I offer affordable trauma-informed therapy and mental health services for Black community specifically for folks navigating:

If you’re specifically searching for mental health services in New York City, start by narrowing your search to providers who:

  • Are licensed in New York State

  • Offer in-person sessions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx

  • Provide online counseling throughout New York

  • Specialize in culturally responsive and trauma-informed care

While national directories are helpful, working with a local therapy practice like MyMindset NYC Counseling allows for:

  • Faster appointment scheduling

  • Better understanding of NYC-specific stressors

  • Access to local referrals and community resources

  • Flexible insurance and payment options

When searching “culturally responsive therapy NYC”, look for:

  • Clear service descriptions

  • Transparent pricing

  • Therapist bios with cultural competence

  • Positive client reviews

MyMindset NYC Counseling is committed to providing affirming therapy spaces for Black professionals, creatives, and healthcare workers throughout New York City.

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Mental Health Directories

1. What is a Black mental health directory?

A Black mental health directory is an online platform that helps folks find Black therapists and culturally competent mental health professionals. These directories allow users to filter by location, specialty, insurance, and identity-based care.

2. Why is it important to see a culturally competent therapist and culturally competent therapists specializing in racial trauma?

Culturally competent therapists understand how race, culture, identity, and lived experience impact mental health. This understanding can improve trust, comfort, and overall treatment outcomes.

3. How do I find a Black therapist near me?

You can search a Black mental health directory by entering your city or zip code. Many directories also offer telehealth options if local providers are limited.

4. Are Black therapists only for Black clients?

No. Black therapists work with clients of all backgrounds. However, many Black clients seek therapists who understand racial identity and cultural experiences firsthand.

5. Does insurance cover therapy from these directories?

Many clinicians listed in the above mental health directories accept insurance, while others offer sliding-scale rates. Always confirm coverage directly with the provider.

Final thoughts

Finding the right therapist is a powerful step toward emotional wellness. A trusted mental health directory can make that process more intentional and less overwhelming by connecting you with clinicians who understand the unique experiences, stressors, and strengths within the Black community.

While national directories are a helpful starting point, personalized and community-based care often makes the greatest impact.

If you're seeking a Black therapist in NYC, MyMindset NYC Counseling provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health services designed to support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Adult Children of Immigrants. Our clinicians are committed to creating safe, affirming spaces where healing feels possible and sustainable.

You deserve therapy that honors your identity, your story, and your growth. You can contact us directly to schedule a consultation.


Jessica Thomas, LMHC is a Haitian-American and licensed mental health therapist for New York, Florida, and Washington D,C. I specialize in working with adults striving to improve their mental health by breaking generational cycles of trauma, burnout, and self-neglect. Together we’ll work through learning to prioritize yourself, stop carrying it all, and step out of living in survival mode and into a life that feels yours. Visit www.mymindsetnyc.com to learn more and book a 20-minute consultation with her here.

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