Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Barbara Neal. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Barbara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

An important part of my work is supporting mothers in gaining access to therapy when finances are a barrier through our therapy fund. Black women are twice as likely to experience postpartum depression and anxiety, yet they are three times less likely to seek out mental health services, and more often than not, the primary barrier is a lack of finances or being uninsured or under-insured. In partnership with nonprofits like The Strong One Foundation and The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative (PHEI) and private donors, we remove financial barriers to care and red tape by raising funds to fill gaps in order to be able to provide free therapy services through sponsorship for moms who need it, allowing them access to the care they deserve with dignity while also still being able to pay our clinicians equitably. Since 2022, through our therapy fund, we have provided 200+ free therapy sessions to Black mothers valued at an estimated $35,000+. We have also provided over $1000+ in therapeutic resources, such as journals and books, to support them on their journeys to improve their mental health and take better care of themselves.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Black maternal mental health clinical leader, educator, and the Founder & CEO of Therapy for Black Moms—a New Jersey–based teletherapy practice dedicated to providing culturally affirming care that supports Black mothers navigating pregnancy and postpartum, traumatic birth experiences and pregnancy loss, relationships, chronic stress, anxiety, and a wide range of other mental health concerns with intention and care.

My path into this work began in education, as a Teach For America Corps Member (Newark 07), where I saw how deeply family dynamics and systemic issues impact the mental health of both children and the adults raising them. That experience led me to family therapy and, over time, into leadership roles across community-based organizations and in digital health, where I’ve worked to improve how care is delivered, scaled, and experienced for Black mothers and Black women, ultimately strengthening families as a whole.

Through Therapy for Black Moms, we provide individual, couple, and family therapy, facilitate support groups, and offer resources and therapeutic spaces designed specifically for Black mothers and Black women. Our work helps moms navigate life transitions, strengthen relationships, and reconnect with themselves beyond the many roles they carry.

An essential part of my work is ensuring that the work that happens in therapy translates into real, sustainable action in the everyday lives of Black women beyond the therapy room. Through our blog, workshops, and tools like my affirmation and activation digital card deck, I help Black women translate therapeutic insight into daily practice—building routines rooted in self-trust, healthy boundaries, self-love, and intentional living.

At the core, we’re addressing a gap many Black women experience in mental health spaces: the lack of high-quality, culturally responsive mental health care that truly sees and values them. What sets my work apart is the combination of strong clinical expertise, a deep understanding of the unique experiences of Black women, and a focus on real-life application—ensuring that the support moms receive is not only meaningful, but actionable and sustainable.

What I’m most proud of is building a practice and brand that feels both impactful and intentional—one that supports not just healing, but how people live day to day.

For anyone discovering my work, I want them to know: you deserve mental health support that is thoughtful, responsive, and rooted in both care and expertise—not just in moments of crisis, but in your everyday life, so you can build the life you truly want.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for me has been showing up authentically while consistently delivering high-quality work. I focus on creating therapeutic experiences where clients feel safe, seen, and genuinely supported—and that naturally leads to word-of-mouth referrals, which has been one of the biggest drivers of my growth.

I’ve also been intentional about building and nurturing relationships. Partnerships with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and funders such as The Strong One Foundation, the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative (PHEI), and the New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance (NJBEFA) have allowed me to expand access to care for Black mothers who may not otherwise be able to receive it and grow my business in a sustainable way.

Beyond the therapy room, I aim to make healing feel relatable and accessible through my social media content, products, and other resources. Whether it’s something I share online or tools like my affirmation and activation digital card deck, everything is designed to help women engage with their mental health in practical, sustainable ways.

What’s worked for me is staying grounded in real needs rather than trends. I create from what I see, hear, and experience in my work—and I do it with care and consistency. That alignment has allowed me to build trust with my audience and grow in a way that feels both intentional and sustainable.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would—every time.

This work allows me to support Black women and mothers in meaningful, lasting ways while also creating spaces, resources, and systems that extend that impact beyond individual sessions and across communities. It challenges me, stretches me, and continues to evolve in ways that keep me engaged and inspired.

Being able to combine clinical work, leadership, and creativity—while centering the needs and experiences of Black women and families—feels deeply aligned with who I am and the kind of impact I want to have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therapyforblkmoms.com
• Instagram: Therapyforblkmoms