Therapy for the Strong Black Woman Who Is Tired of Being Strong
Are you the one everyone calls when something goes wrong, and the one nobody thinks to check on?
Do you feel guilty when you rest, as if you have to earn it first?
Why are you always tired, even when you sleep?
Being strong got you through. It may have kept you safe, kept your family going, and helped you build a life you're proud of. But strong was never supposed to mean alone. And somewhere along the way, strength became the only thing you were allowed to be.
This is therapy for the strong Black woman who is ready to put some of it down, online by secure video in Texas and Illinois.
Prefer to talk? Call or text 309-490-4853.
When Strength Becomes a Weight
Signs You've Been the Strong One Too Long
You handle everyone's emergencies and keep your own to yourself
Asking for help feels harder than doing it all
You feel guilty putting yourself first, even for a moment
People say "I don't know how you do it," and you don't either
Rest feels uncomfortable, or even unsafe
You're tired in a way sleep does not fix
Where the Strong Black Woman Expectation Comes From
Many of us learned early that Black women hold it together. We watched our mothers and grandmothers carry families, churches, and communities, often with very little support. That strength is real, and it deserves honor.
But the expectation to always be strong can leave no room to be human. It can teach you to hide your needs, push past exhaustion, and feel ashamed of wanting care. Over time, that pressure can show up as anxiety, burnout, or a sadness that's hard to name.
I've written more about this in Why Strong Black Women Struggle to Ask for Help.
How Therapy Can Help You Put Some of It Down
You don't have to stop being strong. You get to stop being only strong. In our work together, we can:
Understand where "I have to hold it all" started for you
Practice asking for help, and letting yourself receive it
Set boundaries without carrying the guilt for days
Learn to rest without earning it first
Make room for the softer parts of you that got buried
Prefer to talk? Call or text 309-490-4853.
How I Work
My approach is informed by psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, and Black feminist psychology. Narrative therapy ideas can be a good fit here, because we get to look at the 'strong one' story you've been living and decide what parts of it you want to keep. All sessions are online by secure video, and you need to be physically located in Texas or Illinois at the time of each session. Meet Tyra
You may also want to read about burnout therapy, anxiety therapy, and depression therapy.
FAQs About Therapy for the Strong One
Why am I always tired, even when I sleep?
When you're carrying a lot for a long time, rest alone may not refill you. That kind of tiredness can be connected to stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression, and we can look at what's behind it together. Ongoing tiredness can also have physical causes, so it's worth checking in with your doctor too.
Why do I feel guilty putting myself first?
Many women were taught that their worth comes from what they do for others, so caring for yourself can feel selfish at first. Therapy can help you understand that guilt and practice choosing yourself anyway.
How do I ask for help when I'm used to doing everything myself?
Start small, and start with people who have shown they're safe. Reaching out for a consultation is one way to practice.
Do I have to be in crisis to start therapy?
No. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support. Many women come to therapy because they're tired of holding it together.
Can I do this online if I live in Texas or Illinois?
Yes. All sessions are online by secure video, and you need to be physically located in Texas or Illinois at the time of each session. I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas.
You Don't Have to Be Strong Here
In a free 15-minute consultation, we'll talk about what you're carrying and whether working together makes sense. If you’re located in Texas or Illinois, you can pick a time that works for you through my secure client portal.
Prefer to talk? Call or text 309-490-4853.
More answers are on the FAQs page.
Strong Black Woman Therapy Forney, TX
Online therapy for Black women in Forney and across Texas who are tired of being the strong one. Explore online therapy in Forney
Strong Black Woman Therapy Bloomington, IL
Online therapy for Black women in Bloomington and across Illinois who are tired of being the strong one. Explore online therapy in Bloomington
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or call or text 988. 290 Therapy is not a crisis service.