With the world currently in a tailspin, anyone spreading positivity is a welcome relief to the grim news cycle.
Thankfully, social media has provided a space for therapists and mental health advocates to share this type of content, helping thousands with just the click of a button. These individuals offer positive coping skills and ways to decompress. If you’re in need of a timeline cleanse, here are five Black mental health creators that you should absolutely follow.
Therapy for Black Girls (Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls, 516K followers)
Curated by licensed psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Therapy for Black Girls offers tools for women of color on how to face life challenges and issues that affect them specifically. The pages share daily tips and inspirational posts, as well as resources for Black women intending to destigmatize therapy within the Black community.
Dr. Jay Barnett (Instagram:@ kingjaybarnett, 129K Followers)
Family therapist and author of “Just Heal, Bro,” Dr. Jay Barnett spreads a variety of ways to cope with trauma and depression. As someone who has been open about his past struggles with mental health, Barnett relates to his followers by using his own experiences to create a safe space for all.
Nicole Lewis (Twitter: @nicolelewislcsw, 61K Followers)
Nicole Lewis has gained a massive following on Twitter (X) for her motivational tweets and pro-therapy approach. Additionally, for those who aren’t her clients, Lewis provides “homework” to her followers geared toward improving their well-being and facing things standing in the way of their happiness.
If I’m your Twitter Therapist: This week’s homework is to journal discussion questions about feeling lonely.
Approximately 52% of Americans report feeling lonely, and 47% report that their relationships with others are not meaningful.
Let me know if you have questions. I’ll… pic.twitter.com/8HQhA6G9iX
— Black Therapist & Coach 💕 (@NicoleLewisLCSW) January 26, 2025
Raquel Willis (Instagram: @raquel_willis, 202K Followers)
Raquel Willis stands at the forefront of conversations on gender, race, and intersectionality. She uses her platform to champion Black liberation, especially for members of the LGBTIA+ community. The GLAAD award-winning activist uses her digital platform to promote Black joy, challenge restrictive gender norms, and amplify the power of public speaking as a tool for advocacy and empowerment.
Kier Gaines (Instagram: @kiergaines, 1.2 million Followers)
Kier Gaines is redefining emotional wellness with his warm, relatable approach to mental health. As a licensed therapist and highly sought-after speaker, Gaines has built a thriving online community of over 1 million followers who turn to him for real, unfiltered videos on resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being.
