Therapy for Black Girls

When we think about depression, there’s a common image that comes to mind–sleeping all day or not enough, withdrawing from responsibilities, and feeling an overall inability to function. And while that image is accurate, it doesn’t tell the whole story of what depression can look like. For many people, especially Black women, depression can show on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of withdrawing, we give too much, thrusting ourselves into our jobs, family responsibilities, and overcommitting to whatever keeps us constantly in motion. This is what’s referred to as high-functioning depression and here to unpack what that really looks like is a guest you may have heard on the show before, Dr. Judith Joseph. In her book, ‘High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy’, she explores how depression can hide behind competence and accomplishment, particularly for people who have been conditioned to cling to resilience in their most challenging moments. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.   Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram Grab your copy of High Functioning.   Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou  Production Assistant: Bria MosleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lately, it feels like a lot of people are being asked to do more and more at work. Teams are stretched thin, responsibilities keep expanding, and many of us are finding ourselves carrying workloads that don’t always match the support, resources, or recognition we receive. For Black women in particular, these dynamics can show up in some very specific ways. One of them is the glass cliff, the tendency to be elevated to leadership roles during moments of crisis or instability, often when the stakes are highest, and the margin for error is very small. For this conversation, I’m joined by leadership advisor and keynote speaker Dr. Yasmene Mumby. Dr. Mumby is the founder of The Ringgold, a firm that has helped some of the most impactful organizations in the world achieve their mission-critical organizational ambitions. We discussed what the glass cliff is, why Black women so often find themselves navigating it, and what it looks like to advocate for yourself while leading in high-pressure environments. We also discuss workplace realities many of us recognize—from navigating microaggressions and documenting your work to setting boundaries around your capacity and communicating strategically with colleagues. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.   Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram Website Check Out Her FREE Reclaim My Time Digital Workbook   Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou  Production Assistant: Bria Mosley  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black single mothers have long been the subject of stereotypes, political debate, and cultural criticism. For decades, narratives in media and public discourse have framed them as the root of social problems rather than recognizing the complex realities of their lives, families, and communities. Today’s guest is writer and cultural critic Jamilah Lemieux, whose work has helped shape conversations about race, gender, and culture for more than a decade. Beginning her career in the Black feminist blogosphere, Jamilah has written and edited for many major publications and has become known for her sharp cultural commentary and advocacy for Black women and girls. In this conversation, we discuss her new book Black. Single. Mother., where she explores the realities of single motherhood through her own story as well as the stories of other Black women. We talk about the stigma attached to single mothers, the importance of community and co-parenting, how media narratives shape perceptions of Black families, and what it means to redefine family structures outside of traditional expectations. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest IG: @jamilahlemieux Grab a copy of Black. Single. Mother Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ability to express ourselves through speech remains one of the most important ways we communicate. It’s at the root of how we connect, understand each other, and even how we explore our own identities. From childhood, we learn that what we say and how we’re able to say it can impact how we move through the world. Speech pathologists help those of us who experience challenges in expressing our thoughts and processing language. And as important as this work is, there are still disparities in who receives care.  This week we're excited to welcome Dr. Dawn Ellis, a Speech-Language Pathologist, advocate, and educator whose journey led her to a career helping children, families, and communities communicate with confidence. In this conversation, we explore language development, identity, and how communication intersects with mental health, particularly for Black women and families.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Aurora Sun Services The Dream Center The Dream Center IG   Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where were you when the “Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?” article dropped? Late last year when the piece dropped, it immediately took internet discourse by storm and had a lot of people in heterosexual relationships questioning and taking a deeper look into their relationships. This week we're joined by the woman behind the article, London-based writer and digital content producer Chanté Joseph, whose nuanced commentary on culture had all of us in a tizzy. Today, we’re unpacking the realities of dating in the digital age, and how women are redefining partnership as society shifts further away from patriarchy. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram Strangers In the City Instagram Article - “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?"    Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Student loans have been a source of stress for many of us—but with recent policy changes, shifting repayment requirements, and proposed funding cuts to certain graduate programs, that stress has reached a new level. From confusion about repayment restarting, to fears about forgiveness programs disappearing, to conversations about “reclassifying” degrees like nursing, psychology, and social work, there’s a lot of information circulating—and not all of it is accurate. To help us sort through what’s really happening and what we can actually do about it, I’m joined by Dr. Sonia Lewis, also known as The Student Loan Doctor. Dr. Lewis is a financial expert who has helped tens of thousands of borrowers navigate repayment, forgiveness, and financial strategy.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram Website Student Loan Forgiveness Form & Info   Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reproductive health is often discussed in terms of our physical bodies, but what about our mental and emotional well-being across the reproductive lifespan? In today’s session, I’m joined by Dr. MiMi Sanders, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in reproductive psychiatry, to help us better understand the unique mental health needs that can show up during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and menopause. We explore what reproductive psychiatry is, why it’s especially important for Black women, how mood and anxiety disorders can show up during major reproductive transitions, and what it looks like to advocate for yourself when navigating mental health care during these seasons. Dr. Sanders also breaks down common myths about medication during pregnancy and postpartum and shares what supportive, culturally responsive care should look like. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together. You can now catch episodes of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week.  Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast. Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram   Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From wellness products, to fragrances, to the haircare many of us grew up using, Black women are routinely exposed to harmful chemicals in products marketed directly to us. So what do we do when our everyday routines are shaped by systems that often put our health at risk? These exposures don’t happen in isolation; they build over time, contributing to serious and sometimes chronic health conditions that are deeply tied to environmental racism at a systemic level. But there are changes and solutions we can implement to curb these risks that contribute to a healthier, longer life.  Here to break all of this down is Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, Epidemiologist and Professor of Environmental Reproductive Epidemiology at Harvard University. Dr. James-Todd directs the Environmental Reproductive Justice Lab, where she studies how chemicals in consumer products and our broader environment impact Black women’s health across the lifespan. Her work not only exposes the inequities in these systems, but puts a focus on empowering communities with the knowledge and tools to reduce risks of harm. Today, we’re unpacking what environmental racism really looks like, how it shows up in the products we use every day, and what it will take to protect Black women’s health. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Want to reflect on this conversation in community? Join us inside our Patreon community where we’re unpacking this episode together and sharing practical ways to reduce exposure—without overwhelm.   Where to Find Our Guest Website   Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our January Jumpstart series so far, and that you’ve been able to step into the new year with ease and intention. To wrap up the series, we're excited to share a few conversations that we had with some amazing women. Today, we’re talking about identity. You’ll hear from Nina Westbrook, LMFT and Oludara Adeeyo, LCSW on what it looks like to ask yourself, “Who am I?” and begin to search for the answers.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements If this episode resonated, JOIN US ON PATREON for a deeper conversation on getting clearer on who you are and what you value.    Where to Find Our Guests Oludara Adeeyo, LCSW IG - @oludaraadeeyo  Website - oludaraadeeyo.com  Nina Westbrook, LMFT IG - @ninawestbrook    Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friendships are a life line for us. Friends keep our secrets, they celebrate our wins and hold us up during the difficult times. So when a friendship ends, for whatever reason there is an acute grief associated with no longer having this life line and sadly this grief is often misunderstood and minimized. Today I’m sharing some thoughts on why friendship breakups are so difficult to navigate, what kind of support you may need to get through one, and how you might know if it’s time for a friendship to end. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements If you find yourself wading through the waters of a friendship breakup and you're looking for support, we’d love to have you join us in our Patreon for our Sunday night check in on January 25, 2026 at 9pm ET where we’ll be walking through the pages of our Friendship Breakup Companion Guide designed to help you process the grief of the breakup. For more insights on friendship breakups and what it takes to strengthen our relationships with friends, grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? You can submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox or you can leave us a voice memo at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many Black women, higher education has long been framed as both a pathway to security and a form of social currency. But when does the pursuit of another degree serve our growth—and when does it distract us from the work we actually want to do? In this episode, I'm joined by Melissa Ifill, LCSW for a thoughtful conversation about the “grad school urge,” credential collecting, and the complicated relationship Black women have with education, labor, and legitimacy. Together, we explore the emotional, cultural, and political forces that push so many of us toward advanced degrees—and what it looks like to pause, reflect, and choose intentionally. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements If this episode resonated, JOIN US ON PATREON for a deeper conversation using our Free “Define Your Grad School Why” worksheet, designed to help you slow down and get clear before making a big decision.🗓️ We’ll walk through it together during our weekly Sunday Night Live Check-In on Patreon, January 18th.   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram: @melissaifilllcsw Website: melissaifill.com    Stay Connected​ Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.