I became a therapist in part because of my own experience searching for one — and not finding myself reflected in the rooms I entered. The search for a culturally affirming therapist as a Black woman is genuinely hard. But it's also genuinely worth it.

Here's what I wish someone had told me — and what I now tell every Black woman who comes through my door.

Why Representation in Therapy Matters

Therapy only works when you feel safe enough to be honest. For many Black women, that safety is harder to establish with a therapist who doesn't share your cultural background — because you spend the session explaining context instead of doing the actual work.

You shouldn't have to explain code-switching, the weight of the “Strong Black Woman” narrative, or why your family's attitude toward mental health is complicated. A culturally affirming therapist already understands the terrain.

What to Look For

Racial and cultural humility — not just competence

Cultural competence implies mastery. Cultural humility is an ongoing practice of self-reflection and learning. You want a therapist who is actively interrogating their own biases, not one who completed a diversity training ten years ago.

Explicit language on their website or profile

A therapist who is genuinely affirming will say so — clearly. Look for language like "Racial Justice Ally," "BIPOC-affirming," "culturally responsive care." If it isn't on their site, ask directly in your first call.

Experience with racial trauma

Racial trauma is a real and documented phenomenon. Your therapist should know this — not as an intellectual concept, but as something they are trained and experienced in holding.

A willingness to name race in the room

A therapist who never brings up race — even when it's clearly relevant — isn't being neutral. They're avoiding something important. You deserve a therapist who can go there with you.

Shared identity isn't required — but ask about experience

Some Black women prefer a Black therapist. Others don't. Both are valid. What matters more than shared identity is whether the therapist has done their own work around race and is genuinely equipped to support you.

Questions to Ask in Your First Call

?"What experience do you have working with Black women specifically?"

?"How do you address race or cultural identity when it comes up in sessions?"

?"Have you done your own work around racial bias and white privilege?" (if the therapist is white)

?"What does trauma-informed care look like in your practice?"

?"How would you describe your therapeutic style?"

If a therapist seems defensive or dismissive when you ask these questions, that's your answer.

“You are not too much. You are not too angry. You are not ‘resistant.’ You are a Black woman in a world that has asked you to shrink — and you deserve a therapist who sees that, names it, and helps you take up all the space you were always entitled to.”

— Tabitha Evans, LCSW

A Therapist Who Sees You

Tabitha Evans is a Black LCSW with 14+ years of experience and a Racial Justice Ally designation. She works specifically with the Black community and BIPOC clients across Charlotte and all of North Carolina via telehealth.

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Finding a Culturally Affirming Therapist as a Black Woman