Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy and Getting Started
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Yes. Black Girls Mental Health Collective is currently accepting new clients for therapy services.
Our therapists provide virtual sessions for women and families across California, including clients in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and surrounding communities.
If you are interested in beginning therapy, you can schedule an appointment through our secure online booking system. If you are unsure which therapist may be the best fit, our team can help guide you through the process.
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Scheduling a therapy appointment is simple. You can book a session through our secure online scheduling system by selecting a time that works best for you. Once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive instructions for joining your virtual session.
Our therapists support clients across California, including women seeking maternal mental health therapy in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and surrounding communities.
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Yes. Black Girls Mental Health Collective provides secure virtual therapy sessions for women and families across California.
Virtual therapy allows clients to access care from the comfort and privacy of their homes. Many of our clients live in Oakland, Los Angeles, Richmond, Concord, San Ramon, San Diego, Sacramento, and other California communities.
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Your first session is a conversation to explore your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and your background. It’s a safe space where you can share what feels comfortable, at your own pace.
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Many women begin therapy when they feel overwhelmed, stressed, or uncertain about how to move forward through a difficult experience. Therapy can provide a supportive environment to process emotions, strengthen coping strategies, and gain clarity during life transitions such as pregnancy, postpartum life, relationship changes, or grief.
Maternal Mental Health
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Maternal mental health refers to the emotional wellbeing of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
This stage of life often involves significant emotional changes related to hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, identity changes, and new responsibilities. Some women experience conditions such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or birth trauma that benefit from professional support.
Maternal mental health therapy can help women process these experiences and receive support during the transition into motherhood.
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Postpartum depression is a form of depression that can occur after childbirth. Symptoms may include persistent sadness, emotional numbness, irritability, fatigue, difficulty bonding with the baby, or feelings of overwhelm.
Therapy can help mothers understand these experiences and develop strategies that support emotional recovery.
Our therapists support clients across California, including women seeking maternal mental health therapy in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and surrounding communities.
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Postpartum anxiety involves persistent worry, racing thoughts, or feeling constantly on edge after the birth of a baby.
Many mothers experience intense concern about their baby’s safety or intrusive thoughts about potential harm. Therapy can help mothers develop strategies to manage anxiety and regain emotional balance.
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Yes. Many women begin therapy during pregnancy to address anxiety, fears about childbirth, relationship changes, or emotional stress related to becoming a parent.
Therapy during pregnancy can help women prepare emotionally for the transition into motherhood.
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Yes. Our therapists bring specialized expertise in Black maternal mental health and understand the cultural and social experiences that can influence mental health during pregnancy and postpartum life.
At the same time, our practice welcomes women from all backgrounds who are seeking thoughtful and culturally responsive therapy.
Therapy Services
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Black Girls Mental Health Collective provides therapy services designed to support women and families through many life experiences.
Our services include:
• maternal mental health therapy
• postpartum depression and anxiety support
• individual therapy for women
• couples and relationship therapy
• therapy for life transitionsOur therapists work collaboratively with clients to identify goals and develop strategies that support emotional wellbeing.
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Yes. Couples therapy supports partners who want to improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, and navigate relationship challenges.
Many couples seek therapy during pregnancy or after having a baby as they adjust to the changes that come with parenthood.
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Most therapy sessions are approximately 50 minutes long. Your therapist will discuss session frequency and scheduling during your first appointment.
Insurance and Payment Information
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Yes. Black Girls Mental Health Collective accepts several major insurance plans to make therapy more accessible.
These include:
• Aetna
• Cigna
• Optum / United Healthcare
• United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
• Anthem Blue Cross California
• Blue Shield of California
• Carelon Behavioral Health
• Magellan
• Quest Behavioral Health
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Independence Blue CrossInsurance coverage may vary depending on your specific plan. Our team can help verify your benefits before your first appointment.
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If we are not in network with your insurance plan, you may still be able to receive reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits.
We can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement.
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Therapy fees vary depending on the therapist and type of service. If you plan to use insurance, your final cost may depend on your deductible, copay, or coinsurance.
Our team can help verify your insurance benefits and provide more information about costs before your first appointment.
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Yes. Through the Black Girls Mental Health Foundation, we offer limited grant-funded therapy sessions for California residents who may not have access to mental health care due to financial barriers.
These sessions are made possible through grants, community partnerships, and donor support.
Availability may be limited and offered through specific funding cycles or programs. If you are interested in learning more about eligibility or current availability, please contact our team or visit the Foundation page.
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Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Healthcare providers are required to provide patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance with an estimate of the expected charges for medical services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services. This estimate will be provided in writing at least one business day before your scheduled service.
You may also request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling a service.
If you receive a bill that is $400 or more above your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.
For more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, visit
www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019.
Programs and Groups
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Bringing Baby Home is a relationship education program designed to help couples strengthen their relationship during the transition into parenthood.
Participants learn practical tools for communication, conflict management, and maintaining emotional connection after the arrival of a baby.
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Yes. Our maternal mental health support groups create space for women to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Support groups provide opportunities to discuss postpartum challenges, emotional changes, and parenting experiences while receiving encouragement from trained facilitators.
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Yes. Black Girls Mental Health Collective provides Perinatal Mental Health Training for therapists, doulas, healthcare providers, and community professionals who want to strengthen their ability to support pregnant and postpartum individuals.
This training focuses on recognizing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, and other maternal mental health concerns. Participants learn practical tools for screening, referral, and culturally responsive care for birthing families.
Our perinatal mental health training is designed for professionals working in mental health, healthcare, birth work, and community services who want to improve maternal mental health support in their communities.
Training opportunities may include continuing education credits (CEs) for eligible professionals.
Professionals from across California and nationwide participate in our training programs through virtual learning opportunities.
For upcoming training dates or organizational trainings, please visit our Perinatal Mental Health Training page.
Locations and California Service Areas
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Black Girls Mental Health Collective has locations in Oakland and Los Angeles and provides virtual therapy sessions for women throughout California.
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Through virtual therapy sessions we support clients throughout California including communities such as:
Oakland
Los Angeles
Richmond
Antioch
Contra Costa
Concord
Emeryville
Hayward
San Leandro
San Lorenzo
San Ramon
Dublin
Pleasanton
Compton
Inglewood
San Mateo
San Marcos
Orange
San Joaquin
San Bernardino
Riverside
San Diego
Tuolumne
Santa Barbara
SacramentoBecause sessions are conducted virtually, women and families anywhere in California can access therapy from the comfort of their homes.
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Yes. Black Girls Mental Health Collective provides Perinatal Mental Health Training for therapists, doulas, healthcare providers, and community professionals who want to strengthen their ability to support pregnant and postpartum individuals.
This training focuses on recognizing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, and other maternal mental health concerns. Participants learn practical tools for screening, referral, and culturally responsive care for birthing families.
Our perinatal mental health training is designed for professionals working in mental health, healthcare, birth work, and community services who want to improve maternal mental health support in their communities.
Training opportunities may include continuing education credits (CEs) for eligible professionals.
Professionals from across California and nationwide participate in our training programs through virtual learning opportunities.
For upcoming training dates or organizational trainings, please visit our Perinatal Mental Health Training page.
Privacy and Confidentiality
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Yes. Therapy sessions are private and confidential.
Therapists follow strict professional and legal guidelines to protect client privacy. Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its limited exceptions during your first session.
Ready to Begin?
If you are considering therapy, support is available.
Black Girls Mental Health Collective provides maternal mental health therapy for women throughout California, including those navigating pregnancy, postpartum life, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.