Book a session with a therapist or psychiatry provider near you
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Discover how starting therapy for black men & women therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We’ll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
My go-to approach for counseling Black men & women is by promoting healthy racial identity, resiliency and empathy. I find the benefit in this because under and misrepresented groups can be vulnerable to distress. This can occur by internalizing negative narratives and/or the anticipation of real and perceived threats to the individual due to their skin color. By promoting a sense of racial identity it helps buffer discriminatory actions against one’s self esteem.
I teach the following tools in counseling for Black men & women:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in counseling for Black men & women when they are achieving measurable objectives in route to their goal. Therapists generally frame client’s goals using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Limited) format. By doing so, we can specifically identify what needs to occur to know that a goal is being met and this is how we know if a client is making meaningful progress!
Clients can supplement their time in counseling for Black men & women with practicing skills learned in counseling, ensuring that their therapeutic goals align with area of need, completing homework assignments, identifying and providing topics for session, identifying and disclosing meaningful events and if unsure simply asking.
To prepare for your first counseling for Black men & women session, you can schedule your appointment at a time when you will not be interrupted. Prepare for your appointment by finishing paperwork in advance. Ensure that you have a stable connection and microphone and camera work. It is helpful to bring a notebook and pen for note taking. Plan to discuss your current issue, history and goals. Try to be as transparent when discussing intention and issues and ask questions on things you are unsure about.
Therapy for the treatment of Black men and women is a person-centered, individualized type of psychotherapeutic care that takes into account the emotional and mental impact of being a black person of color in today’s society. Thriveworks Charlotte therapists use traditional therapy techniques implemented through an anti-racist lens, addressing issues like racism, colorism, toxic masculinity/misogyny, and others. This type of therapy is meant to create a safe space for black individuals to express their emotions and alleviate their stress in an environment that caters to their unique experiences.
Therapy for Black men and women is much like standard psychotherapy in that Thriveworks Charlotte therapists will use a variety of approaches depending on each client’s needs. However, it will also heavily incorporate person-centered therapy, which means that every client’s individual experiences, goals, and needs will be at the forefront of treatment.
Therapy for Black men and women at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Therapy for Black women and men will last as long as necessary to achieve the client’s therapeutic goals, whether that be a few months or years. Generally, though, true progress will often take at least five months. Thriveworks therapists in Charlotte, NC will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.
Unfortunately, a negative social stigma can make seeking mental health therapy more difficult than it should be, but not all people feel that stigma equally. Many African Americans have seen mental health counseling as airing dirty laundry with outsiders, and they see counselors and therapists at lower rates than other ethnic groups. A 2010 study showed that White Americans receive mental health care at nearly double the rate as Black Americans. But studies are also showing that this stigma may be shifting. African Americans are seeking mental health care at increasingly greater rates.
The positive trend in more African Americans seeking mental health help is fueled by several factors—things like increased awareness of mental health and greater access to care. Thriveworks Charlotte is committed to offering therapy that is culturally sensitive, including therapy for African Americans.
As trust is built, therapy can address any topic that a client wants to address. For example, many African Americans seek out a therapist’s help for the following…
Another aspect of the stigma that can surround mental health care is that many perceive therapy in opposition to the support they receive from their religion or their community. At Thriveworks Charlotte, we understand that an individual can receive amazing encouragement and assistance from their family, their friends, and their religious leaders. Our counselors and therapists do not see their work as a replacement for these important aspects of an individual’s life. Instead, the professionals at Thriveworks see their work as another form of support within an individual’s life.
When people face serious mental illness, their support networks play a key role in healing. Pastors, friends, and family members can carry a portion of the burden, and so can therapists and counselors. Some aspects of healing are best addressed among friends, but others are best addressed with a mental health professional. A key example is when an individual needs medication. When people need care that their community cannot provide, it may be time to see a mental health professional.
If you are African American and you are considering therapy, know that the therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Charlotte understand the difficult decision you are making. We respect your desire to reach out for help, and we respect your ethnicity. When you are ready to make the call, we are ready to meet with you. It takes courage to start therapy, and we have done our best to be supportive from the moment you first dial our office.
When you contact Thriveworks Charlotte, you may have your first appointment within the week. Plus, we accept most forms of insurance, and we offer evening and weekend sessions. Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks Charlotte today.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
Shown in ET
Friday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm |
Shown in ET
7 photos