Healing with Culture in Mind
When culture is left out of care, wounds go untreated and healing is delayed. At SHIFT Your Journey™, we believe your culture, identity, and lived experience belong at the center of therapy — it shapes how we listen, understand, and help you heal.
Why Culture Matters
At SHIFT Your Journey™, we specialize in culturally rooted therapy for people of African descent — Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino, African communities — and other communities of color who share these lived experiences. Too often, Black communities and communities of color are unseen, mislabeled or misunderstood when culture is ignored. Depression is mistaken for “anger.” Trauma gets mislabeled as “instability.” Anxiety is brushed aside as “stress.” Life’s biggest transitions are minimized as “just life.” Silence is praised as “strength.”
When culture is left out of care, wounds go untreated and healing is delayed. At SHIFT Your Journey™, we believe your culture, identity, and lived experience belong at the center of therapy — it shapes how we listen, understand, and help you heal.
The Evidence: How Culture Shapes Mental Health
Depression → “You’re moody. You’ve got an attitude.”
Research: Black adults with depression often present with irritability, fatigue, or physical complaints rather than “classic” sadness. Clinicians and families may misinterpret this as personality flaws.
Data: Depression is underdiagnosed in Black communities and more likely to be labeled as “behavioral” or “anger issues.”
Trauma → “You’re unstable. You’re dramatic.”
Research: Black clients are more likely to be diagnosed with psychotic or personality disorders rather than PTSD after traumatic experiences.
Data: One study found Black patients with PTSD were misdiagnosed at significantly higher rates than white patients, often labeled with “serious” mental illnesses like schizophrenia.
Anxiety → “Just stop worrying. Be stronger.”
Research: Anxiety disorders are consistently under-recognized in Black adults. Clinicians often minimize symptoms or call them “stress.”
Data: National surveys show Black Americans with anxiety are less likely to receive a diagnosis or treatment, even when presenting the same symptoms.
Life Transitions → “Everyone goes through it. You’ll be fine.”
Research: Immigration, divorce, and bereavement can trigger depression or anxiety, but in many cultures these struggles are normalized or minimized.
Data: Studies show higher rates of depressive symptoms among Black and immigrant populations after major life transitions, but help-seeking remains low.
Silence → “You’re strong.”
Research: The “Strong Black Woman” schema is well-documented: Black women are socialized to silence pain, endure stress, and appear strong at all costs.
Data: This cultural script contributes to delayed help-seeking, misdiagnosis, and worsened outcomes for depression and anxiety.
The SHIFT Difference
Research shows that Black and other communities of color are frequently underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or overlooked in mental health care. At SHIFT Your Journey™, we slow down, listen closely, and center your culture so your care reflects all of who you are.
Our approach blends:
Evidence-based therapy methods for anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.
Cultural humility and understanding that shape every step of care.
Therapists with lived experience who reflect the communities we serve.
Multilingual sessions in English, French, Ga, Hindi, Spanish, and Twi.
Therapy Services We Provide
Individual Therapy for Anxiety
(1-on-1 therapy to calm racing thoughts, ease worry, and regain control. )
Therapy for Trauma + PTSD
(1-on-1 therapy, evidence-based, and focused on helping you move beyond pain into healing and wholeness.)
Individual Therapy for Depression
(1-on-1 therapy to lift heaviness, restore energy, and renew hope. )
Therapy for Life Transitions
(1-on-1 therapy to help you navigate change with clarity, confidence, and resilience.)
Benefits of Online Therapy
Online therapy with SHIFT Your Journey™Mental Health Counseling is designed to provide you with convenient, flexible, and accessible mental health support from the comfort of your own space. For many, especially in communities of color or those living in remote areas, accessing mental health services can be difficult due to location or concerns about finding a culturally competent therapist. Online therapy eliminates these barriers. You’re no longer limited to therapists in your immediate area. Instead, you can connect with therapists across the state, ensuring that you find a professional who aligns with your needs and values. This expands access to care, making therapy more available, no matter where you live or what challenges you face. Online therapy may not be for everyone, in those instances, we will work with you to find appriopriate referrals.
-
For many in communities of color, accessing mental health services can be difficult due to location, transportation, or even concerns about finding a therapist who truly understands their cultural experiences. Online therapy eliminates these barriers. You’re no longer limited to therapists in your immediate area. Instead, you have the ability to connect with licensed therapists across the state, ensuring that you find a professional who aligns with your needs and values. This expands access to therapy, making it easier to receive the care you deserve, regardless of where you live.
-
With online therapy, you don’t need to worry about commuting or taking time off work. You can attend therapy sessions from the comfort of your home or any location that works for you, at a time that fits your schedule.
-
Being in your own space can make it easier to relax and open up. Many people find it easier to talk about personal issues when they are in a familiar and comfortable environment, leading to more productive and honest sessions.
-
Online therapy gives you access to a diverse range of therapists, each with their own areas of expertise. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other mental health concern, you can easily connect with a therapist whose experience aligns with your needs. There’s no need to travel to multiple office locations—everything you need is available, providing you with greater flexibility and convenience in finding the right therapist for you.
-
Research shows that virtual/ online therapy, especially for anxiety, depression, and stress, offers the same positive results as traditional therapy. Online therapy gives you access to the same techniques and support, all from the comfort of your own space. While some situations may require in-person sessions, online therapy provides flexible, high-quality care that fits your life.
-
For many individuals in communities of color, seeking mental health support comes with additional challenges—whether it's stigma, lack of culturally competent therapists, or logistical difficulties. Online therapy reduces these barriers by providing access to a wider network of culturally informed therapists who understand your unique experiences. It also allows you to access care without the added stress of traveling or concerns about privacy.
-
Online therapy can feel less intimidating than in-person sessions. It removes the potential stigma of walking into a therapist’s office, making it easier for many people to seek help without feeling judged or self-conscious.
Still Got Questions About Starting Therapy, Insurance, or Booking an Appointment?
Reach out today to start your therapy journey. We’re here to support you every step of the way.