02/24/2026
During Black History Month, it's important to acknowledge cultural barriers to care for Black Americans - as well as highlight the Black therapists that are representing and empowering their community, day in and day out.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that approximately 20% of Black American adults report having a mental health condition, yet they are 36% less likely than white adults to receive treatment. While reporting high rates of distress, only about 39% of Black adults with mental illness receive care, often due to systemic, financial, and cultural barriers.
Licensed Professional Counselor Bria Williams-Roby got into the field to help shift all that. She shares, "It is important for BIPOC populations to have a safe space to understand, acknowledge, and pull back the layers of the oppression, trauma, and systemic discrimination that impacts mental health. There is beauty in being a part of such a rich, cultural background. So many of our ancestors have fought for us to be here, and it is our duty to carry on that legacy during Black History Month, and beyond. As a Black woman, I am committed to promoting diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion."
If you're interested in exploring therapy with Bria, visit us online at https://paderatherapy.com/briawilliamsroby. Bria sees clients ages 13+ and specializes in substance use, anxiety, BIPOC and/or marginalized groups, women's health, chronic pain, self-esteem, life transitions, trauma, boundaries, ADHD, & communication issues.
Check out Bria's Recommendations:
*The Unapologetic Guide To Black Mental Health by Rheeda Walker, PhD
*Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
*Podcast: “Therapy For Black Girls”
*Black-Owned Business: Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health Cafe, Chicago
