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Offered in-person & online

African American/Black therapists in Knoxville, TN

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

All Knoxville services

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you
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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy for black men & women therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | BCBS, +18 more
Military / Veteran, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Men’s Issues, +14 more

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | BCBS, +14 more
Military / Veteran, Domestic Abuse, Narcissism, LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, +17 more

Hello, I am glad that you are here! As you work with me, you will see that I am very liberal, non-judgmental, and inclusive to all cultural and racial... Hello, I am glad that you are here! As you work with me, you will see that I am very liberal, non-judgmental, and inclusive to all cultural and racial identities. Clients often want to work with me because I have a holistic approach to therapy and teach a wide variety of skills. I am of the LGBTQIA + community and specialize in issues that arise in this population, including religious persecution. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | BCBS, +17 more
Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, +5 more

As an individual who has experienced anxiety and depression, I understand the value of having support to help you navigate through these issues. I wo... As an individual who has experienced anxiety and depression, I understand the value of having support to help you navigate through these issues. I would love to be that support for you and walk alongside you as you become the best version of yourself! Read more

Starting Therapy for Black men & women

What is Therapy for Black men and women?

Therapy for the treatment of Black men and women is a person-centered, individualized type of psychotherapeutic care that takes into account the emotional and mental impact of being a black person of color in today’s society. Thriveworks Knoxville therapists use traditional therapy techniques implemented through an anti-racist lens, addressing issues like racism, colorism, toxic masculinity/misogyny, and others. This type of therapy is meant to create a safe space for black individuals to express their emotions and alleviate their stress in an environment that caters to their unique experiences.

How does Therapy for Black men and women work?

Therapy for Black men and women is much like standard psychotherapy in that Thriveworks Knoxville therapists will use a variety of approaches depending on each client’s needs. However, it will also heavily incorporate person-centered therapy, which means that every client’s individual experiences, goals, and needs will be at the forefront of treatment.

Is Therapy for Black men and women conducted in person or online?

Therapy for Black men and women at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Therapy for Black men and women last?

Therapy for Black women and men will last as long as necessary to achieve the client’s therapeutic goals, whether that be a few months or years. Generally, though, true progress will often take at least five months. Thriveworks therapists in Knoxville, TN will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.

Need more help deciding?

Making the decision to meet with a mental health professional may be the right decision, but it is rarely one that is made easily or lightly. A social stigma can often hold people back from seeking the care they need, and certain people may feel that stigma more heavily than others. In 2010, a study was conducted that revealed African Americans receive the mental health care they need at half the rate as Caucasian Americans do. A number of reasons account for the inequality. One is that African Americans do not have adequate physical and economic access to therapists. Another reason for the disparity is that mental health professionals have not offered quality care to African Americans. In a 2012 interview, Dr. William Lawson reflected upon an experience as he was training to be a psychologist. In medical school, he was told that African Americans do not become depressed—an inexcusable falsehood. What is the result of this inadequate care? “Part of it is that many professionals simply don’t know how to diagnose properly African-Americans,” Dr. Lawson reflected. A shift, however, is occurring. Therapists are closing the gap of access and quality. African Americans are more and more receiving the mental health care they deserve.

An article in The Washington Post entitled, “Therapists say African Americans are increasingly seeking help for mental illness,” documents the shift. It tells Jinneh’s story. When she was in high school, Jinneh’s mom passed, and she struggled with depression. Her therapist prescribed an antidepressant, but Jinneh never filled it. Her friends and family members were not sure the therapist had Jinneh’s best interest in mind. A few years later, Jinneh’s roommate encouraged her to go see a therapist again because she was still fighting depression. This time, Jinneh received the treatment she needed. Now, she works in the mental health care profession.

Jinneh’s story is not unique. Many within the African American community are now seeking mental health care. Many health care professionals are offering quality therapy that accounts for their needs. Thriveworks Knoxville is working to provide accessible, quality mental health care to our African American clients.

A Unified, Supportive Community

Family. Friendship. Faith. These are the cornerstones of many African-American communities. Mental health professionals have not always acknowledged the worth of these rich and deep relationships. Therapists have all too often set themselves against community support that friends, parents, brothers, sisters, and pastors can give. An important principle of culturally sensitive mental health care is that therapists work with a client’s community as an ally instead of working against it. Clients should feel a unified, supportive community in many forms.

Such a community looks like family members offering care that mental health professionals cannot. It looks like religious leaders offering care that friends cannot. Each has a role to play. Mental health professionals play an important role that coordinates with the role that others play. Everyone is focused upon an individual receive the mental health care and healing they deserve. Everyone is pulling toward the same target.

Mental Health Care and Establishing Trust

Trust that is established between a therapist and a client is of utmost importance to the quality of mental health care that is offered. When clients trust their therapists and when they feel safe during sessions, together they can often delve deeply into psychological wounds and find deep healing as well. What does it look like for a therapist to establish trust with a client? Two ways that the professionals at Thriveworks Knoxville is by offering individualized care and by accounting for each’s clients cultural and ethnic context.

Each person has unique hopes and dreams, traumas and hardships, challenges and opportunities. Each person’s therapy will be unique as well. For example, clients often set the pace for therapy. Some are ready to move quickly. Others take their time. There is no right or wrong way to heal. Therapists are not dictators; they are guides. The therapist’s goal is to create a safe space where their clients are free to speak openly without fear of judgment or shame—including any cultural or racial issues they may be facing.

The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Knoxville reject a “colorblind” approach that downplays the importance of a person’s race. People are whole beings, and their race and cultural context are important parts of their identity. Race and cultural context are also important parts of a therapist’s identity that can affect a client’s experience. The therapists at Thriveworks Knoxville work hard to cultivate their own self-awareness and interact with their clients in a way that promotes understanding, respect, empathy, and honesty. When such trust is established, African American clients often feel free to address topics such as…

  • Racial trauma
  • Grief counseling
  • Career advancement
  • Discrimination
  • Anxiety
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Sexual identity issues
  • Child therapy
  • Divorce
  • Substance use
  • Executive coaching
  • Depression
  • Anger management
  • Infidelity
  • Suspected abuse of a child
  • Eating disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive tendencies
  • Job loss
  • Psychiatric testing
  • Addiction
  • Couples and marriage counseling

Scheduling Therapy at Thriveworks Knoxville

Are you ready to meet with a therapist? The professionals at Thriveworks Knoxville are ready to meet with you, and we have appointments available. When you call our office, a scheduling specialist will answer your call and help you make an appointment. Weekend and evening sessions are available. New clients often have their first appointment within 24 hours of their first call. We also accept many insurance plans. Call today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Knoxville therapists and counselors accept 22 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | BCBS

  • BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medicare Advantage

  • Caresource

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

Show more
Self-pay costs at Knoxville
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.6 Thriveworks Knoxville reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
I saw Justin for assistance with OCD. He showed me how to look at things in a way that did not allow my OCD to take over. I will would highly recommend him.
Read more I saw Justin for assistance with OCD. He showed me how to look at things in a way that did not allow my OCD to take over. I will would highly recommend him.
Knoxville Feb 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been taking my 7 year old grandson to see Justin. He had horrible anxiety. It saddened us to see how bad it was. He had developed tics. Justin was absolutely wonderful with him. He has overcome most of his fears and tics have went away. I would highly recommend Justin.
Read more I have been taking my 7 year old grandson to see Justin. He had horrible anxiety. It saddened us to see how bad it was. He had developed tics. Justin was absolutely wonderful with him. He has overcome most of his fears and tics have went away. I would highly recommend Justin.
Knoxville Sep 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Going to Thriveworks for the past year and a half has been the most rewarding counseling experience I’ve had. Seeing Lindsey has had the single biggest impact on my emotional and mental health, especially in healing from past childhood abuse and trauma, and ongoing PTSD. Out of multiple counselors in two states, Lindsey Chandler is by far the one with whom I’ve felt the most accepted, supported, and encouraged by. I am grateful for the Thriveworks space, as it is not at all clinical nor intimidating, but entirely warn and welcoming. It is nearly a scent-free environment, which is vital for the comfort of any highly sensitive persons. I choose to drive an hour from home each visit specifically to stay loyal to a place where I finally feel safe and valued—where in the past commuting five minutes from home to work with a therapist felt like a chore and an ordeal—and I will continue to do so as I work further toward a healthier me.
Read more Going to Thriveworks for the past year and a half has been the most rewarding counseling experience I’ve had. Seeing Lindsey has had the single biggest impact on my emotional and mental health, especially in healing from past childhood abuse and trauma, and ongoing PTSD. Out of multiple counselors in two states, Lindsey Chandler is by far the one with whom I’ve felt the most accepted, supported, and encouraged by. I am grateful for the Thriveworks space, as it is not at all clinical nor intimidating, but entirely warn and welcoming. It is nearly a scent-free environment, which is vital for the comfort of any highly sensitive persons. I choose to drive an hour from home each visit specifically to stay loyal to a place where I finally feel safe and valued—where in the past commuting five minutes from home to work with a therapist felt like a chore and an ordeal—and I will continue to do so as I work further toward a healthier me.
Knoxville Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr Neal has helped me more in the last 2 months than any other therapist in the last 5 years. Therapy has become a joy instead of a chore. :)
Read more Dr Neal has helped me more in the last 2 months than any other therapist in the last 5 years. Therapy has become a joy instead of a chore. :)
Knoxville Dec 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Justin Hall is an excellent therapist. Very easy to talk to and genuinely concerned with the patient.
Read more Justin Hall is an excellent therapist. Very easy to talk to and genuinely concerned with the patient.
Knoxville Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Amanda Gilliam has been such a blessing in helping my daughter deal with her anxiety issues. My daughter is much stronger and confident now thanks to Amanda's expertise,dedication, and just willing to talk about whatever my daughter wants to talk about! Great person to call if you in know someone dealing with anxiety!
Read more Amanda Gilliam has been such a blessing in helping my daughter deal with her anxiety issues. My daughter is much stronger and confident now thanks to Amanda's expertise,dedication, and just willing to talk about whatever my daughter wants to talk about! Great person to call if you in know someone dealing with anxiety!
Knoxville Oct 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My son saw “Mrs. Amanda” as he affectionately called her shortly after my marriage ended in a high conflict divorce. My son was 6 years old at the time, so it was difficult for him to process his feelings without knowing how to communicate with us. Amanda Gilliam was always there to listen and provide outlets for him to speak openly about his feelings in a way that could be understood. She is top knotch in my book and I would highly recommend her as a professional!
Read more My son saw “Mrs. Amanda” as he affectionately called her shortly after my marriage ended in a high conflict divorce. My son was 6 years old at the time, so it was difficult for him to process his feelings without knowing how to communicate with us. Amanda Gilliam was always there to listen and provide outlets for him to speak openly about his feelings in a way that could be understood. She is top knotch in my book and I would highly recommend her as a professional!
Knoxville Oct 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I was in sessions with Justin for about a year and highly recommend him. He has a deep grasp of psychology that he is constantly refreshing and renewing, and he was able to help me a lot in understanding what was driving the emotions and feelings of myself and close family members. He was a great help.
Read more I was in sessions with Justin for about a year and highly recommend him. He has a deep grasp of psychology that he is constantly refreshing and renewing, and he was able to help me a lot in understanding what was driving the emotions and feelings of myself and close family members. He was a great help.
Knoxville Sep 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville is located off of N Peters Rd and Market Pl Blvd, across the street from Market Place Shopping Center. Our other neighbors include Block Advisors, Geosyntec Consultants, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Red Roof PLUS+ & Suites Knoxville West - Cedar Bluff. The closest bus stop to our building is N Peters Rd EB @ Market Place Blvd.

Phone number

(865) 290-2278

Languages spoken by TN providers

  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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