Black and African American Therapists in Chicago, IL

Shades of Therapy was created to promote the mental health of people of color.​ We believe that BIPOC ( Black , Indigenous, People of Color) face unique challenges that can sometimes be overwhelming. However, we also know without a doubt that this community possess a strength that is unmatched. Here at Shades of Therapy, our goal is to support the well-being of BIPOC by harnessing the inherent strengths and resources our clients possess and guide them toward achieving their goals. Invite us along your journey and we will work together as partners in your success.

The decision to seek therapy can be difficult; however, you are here, and that's your first step. Do you struggle with sexual issues, gender identity, depression, or anxiety? I want to be able to help you go through that. My job is to provide a safe environment where we may learn and grow while promoting empowerment. I work with individuals and couples, and I am kink aware. I am an Afro-Cuban/Dominican therapist working with the Black and Latinx community to help with racial trauma, sex therapy, and providing a space for healing. I primarily work with the LGBTQIA and transgender BIPOC community.

I am a caring and compassionate therapist with experience working with Black and Brown youth, young adults, middle aged adults and seniors. I am passionate about social justice and work to continue building my own cultural responsiveness. I consider my practice trauma informed in order to elevate the growth, resiliency, and healing of my clients. I treat clients who are seeking to manage their suffering, and may struggle with depression, anxiety, stress management, searching for identity and meaning, relationship issues, low self-concept, sexual/physical and emotional abuse, neglect, traumatic events and racial stress/trauma.

Cultivate Your Essence is a group practice that is dedicated to women of color while prioritizing black women’s mental health. Entering an intimate space with yourself is no easy task. But with the help of someone you trust, it makes the journey a bit easier to embrace. It is our job is to help our clients live their absolute best life by unpacking, exploring and examining roadblocks from our past that are preventing us from being present in the now. This awareness helps to foster continual growth & grants access to understanding the story behind our behavior.

Hello! I am delighted to introduce myself to you. My name is Li Drummond. I have worked with many different presenting issues including adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, suicide risk, stress, loss, trauma, struggles with drugs and alcohol, family problems, child welfare, family problems, offenders, and relationship difficulties. I feel comfortable working with clients ranging in age from children to adults and feel especially well-equipped to work with clients facing discrimination and marginalization including members of various immigrant communities, LGBTQIA+ clientele, black , indigenous and people of color (BIPOC).

Have you ever felt life has been hard to navigate? Are you feeling stuck or alone? Have you struggled with self-acceptance and identify? When life is hard to manage and challenges are present, therapy can provide deeper perspective and offer tools to help you experience your best life. As your therapist, you can expect to receive services that are tailored to your individual needs. During therapy, you will experience a warm, non-judgmental, affirming, and collaborative environment, where you feel valued and supported as you identify your specified goals and address life’s challenges.

I am an innovative, experienced social worker committed to my client's well-being. I am passionate about helping clients improve their relationships with themselves, families, and friends by enhancing their communication and increasing their emotional intelligence. I am committed to assisting clients in regaining a sense of meaning and purpose by redefining their values, beliefs, needs, and goals. Mutual trust, respect, consistency, empathy, and rapport allow the time spent exploring patterns, identifying problem areas, and developing newer and healthier ways to cope with everyday stressors and struggles.

I am a researcher of sexual trauma in the Black community with a current emphasis of working with Black women with a history of sexual trauma who are looking to create a more fulfilling relationship with themselves, their bodies, and with others and are ready to lean in and do the work. I am looking to support motivated women as a "Clinical Companion" on their journey to wellness while guiding them through a framework I created specifically for this demographic, a therapeutic modality titled Self-Reconciliation Therapy (SRT).

It wasn’t always easy growing up or getting through my 20’s. I felt like the world was up against me and I couldn’t make any mistakes, especially as a young Black woman. I focused on trying to be “perfect” so that I could escape harsh judgment that I knew I’d receive anyways. Instead of experiencing triumph from my efforts, I ended up exhausted and burnt-out. I soon discovered how my past affected me. Now, I guide others in discovering how parts of themselves and their past have led them to having similar experiences. I assist in showing clients that they are able to make mistakes in order to grow and gain life lessons.

As a queer Black woman, I knew early on that there were high expectations FOR me and I carried a heavy burden to be ten times more “presentable” to the world just to get by. I focused on helping others and being the person I assumed everyone else needed me to be. And in trying to hold onto everyone and society’s standards, I was losing who I was, always taking care of everyone else and prioritizing their needs over my own. I learned overtime that I needed to give myself patience when I tripped or else I would crumble from burn out. If you have been feeling like this, you may be experiencing burn out as well.

The bravest thing you can do is begin to understand your own story. As a black woman, a sister, a daughter and a mother; I too have been in your shoes. Throughout life we are told we have to remain strong and we never get the opportunity to not be the strong one for once. This causes built up anxiety, depression and negative emotions which are then taken out on the ones we love the most. Are you ready to face the past trauma and experiences you have not had the opportunity to process? If so, I am the right therapist for you.

Navigating life is challenging, and sometimes we could use a little help becoming the best versions of ourselves. Sometimes we struggle with depression, anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem issues, relationship challenges, stress, racial identity, feeling stuck, and traumatic situations. But, you do not have to work through it alone; it all happens to be my area of expertise. I help adults and couples overcome those obstacles and transform their lives. My 18-year career has been devoted to supporting and empowering others, especially BIPOC ( Black , Indigenous, People of Color) clients.

Have you noticed that there are many people in your family who keep secrets or struggle with expressing emotions? Have you noticed that you have similar traits or even health issues similar to older family members? This is intergenerational trauma. The way emotions are handled, health struggles and even stress can be passed down to younger generations. The Self Inside is the space for black women to heal from intergenerational trauma so they can not only change their life but the lives of future generations.