Dr. Crystal Clark

Dr. Crystal Clark Psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health including pregnancy/postpartum emotional wellness

On this Mother’s Day, I’m reflecting on the importance of supporting Black mothers not only in celebration, but through ...
05/10/2026

On this Mother’s Day, I’m reflecting on the importance of supporting Black mothers not only in celebration, but through advocacy, education, access, and compassionate mental health care. ❤️

It has been an honor to annually serve as a speaker and trainer for the Birthing Black Perinatal Mental Health Certification Training for in collaboration with , since its inception 3 years ago and alongside two exceptional therapists and trainers whose expertise, passion and commitment continue to inspire this work.

Each year right before Mother’s Day, I have the privilege of teaching psychopharmacology in the perinatal period, including helping healthcare professionals dispel and navigate cultural myths, fears, and perceptions surrounding mental health treatment during pregnancy and postpartum. These conversations matter. Black women deserve culturally responsive, evidence-informed care that acknowledges both lived experience and the realities of untreated mental illness.
What makes Birthing Black so meaningful is its commitment to community, education, and equity — creating a safe space where Black maternal mental health is centered, protected, and prioritized.

Today, I’m especially grateful for every mother, advocate, clinician (doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, therapists), midwife, doula, peer supporter, lactation consultant, and community leader working to improve outcomes for Black mothers and birthing people. ❤️

Happy Mother’s Day to all those nurturing, leading, healing, and caring for others every day. 🌺

All the buzz is about the release of zuranolone, the 2nd postpartum drug and the first to be released in Canada. It's a ...
12/11/2025

All the buzz is about the release of zuranolone, the 2nd postpartum drug and the first to be released in Canada. It's a 14-day pill treatment for rapid recovery from moderate to severe postpartum depression which can be a debilitating illness at a precious time for a Mom and her baby.

As a neuroactive steroid, this drug functions differently than antidepressants such as SSRIs. Instead of increasing serotonin (put simply), this drug is a synthetic version of allopregnanolone, the metabolite of progesterone. Estradiol, progesterone, and allopregnanolone fluctuate significantly during pregnancy and into the postpartum period, with significant declines occurring at delivery.

These hormonal shifts can result in an imbalance of chemicals in the brain and this drug helps to restore the balance but not by depleting hormones. Put more scientifically, this neuroactive steroid is a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor and restores neurosteroid signaling pathways after it's impacted by the abrupt decline of allopregnanolone among other hormones.

We have more to learn about this treatment such as how long the effect lasts (studies showed a sustained effect up to 45 days but patients weren't followed beyond that time) and if breastfeeding will be feasible (preliminary data shows less than 1% of the mother's blood concentration transfers into breast milk in 14 women studied). Yet, despite the prevalence of this condition which impacts 1 in 5 mothers, this is one of the first drugs to target this condition specifically and it's being called a game changer. I'm hopeful that it will help change the landscape for the treatment of postpartum depression as well as be an option for treatment for those with anxiety and bipolar depression that onsets postpartum.

Thanks for the interview !

I ended the week energized after having the opportunity to serve as one of the expert panelists (among a dynamic group o...
11/04/2023

I ended the week energized after having the opportunity to serve as one of the expert panelists (among a dynamic group of Black women healthcare leaders) for the Black Womens Healthcare Summit put on by .

It was a sold out powerhouse event of empowered women, knowledge sharing, and networking.

We talked about obstetrical and gynecological care for Black women (anything from fibroids to reducing mortality after childbirth). We discussed Black womens mental health (including trauma and the importance of emotional wellness around childbirth). It got real and heavy but we could have talked for hours. It was a reminder that Black women need space to come together and share knowledge, experience, ideas, and work toward healing❣️

Connections were made. Money was raised. Collaborations were formed.

We left the evening connected, energized, and charged toward next steps toward achieving health equity. ❤️

Thank you to our engaged and responsive audience. A special shout out to and .cullen.doula

P.S. swipe ⬅️ to the last pic to see a cool feature of me at the summit.

Although Black women face infertility twice as much as White women, Black infertility is not discussed enough. Mainly be...
03/11/2023

Although Black women face infertility twice as much as White women, Black infertility is not discussed enough. Mainly because of the myth that Black women are hyper fertile as well as the associated stigma and shame.

In addition, women who face infertility are often impacted by changes in their mental health.

But there's help and there's hope. Let's talk about it!

I'm honored to be invited by Rev. Dr. Stacey Edwards Dunn, founder of Fertility for Colored Girls, to speak and have discussion on this important topic. Shout out to the dynamic panel of Black female experts!

Thanks for the invitation to discuss perinatal and maternal mental health in the Black community with the awesome Dana ...
12/03/2022

Thanks for the invitation to discuss perinatal and maternal mental health in the Black community with the awesome Dana Divine.

Mom's mental wellness ➡️ baby's physical and mental wellness.

Please seen help instead of suffering in silence.

If you need help, is an excellent resource to find professionals in your area.

Need a virtual live therapist? See if is in your area.

If you're in Canada - of University of Toronto offers perinatal mental health care and you can find me there!




Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, and that’s very important for good health💓!📸: ...
06/29/2022

Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, and that’s very important for good health💓!

📸:

Overturning Roe vs. Wade means that the right to an abortion is no longer protected by the federal government. Women an...
06/28/2022

Overturning Roe vs. Wade means that the right to an abortion is no longer protected by the federal government. Women and birthing people have lost the right to make a choice about their healthcare and body. 👆🏾👆🏾 will have ripple effects on mental health and mortality of women and all birthing people.

See which states still allow or are expected to allow child-bearing persons to maintain control over their reproductive medical care.

Many people across the globe suffer silently with PTSD know as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In an effort to educate t...
06/27/2022

Many people across the globe suffer silently with PTSD know as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In an effort to educate the public and help those affected, June 27 has been named PTSD Awareness Day💚.

This is a great opportunity to talk with family and friends and learn more about this disorder and how it affects those around us.

A wide variety of symptoms may be signs that you are experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder. The following are some of the most common symptoms of PTSD that you or those around you may have noticed:

🔸 Feeling upset by things that remind you of what happened
🔸 Having nightmares, vivid memories, or flashbacks of the event that make you feel like it’s happening all over again
🔸Feeling emotionally cut off from others
🔸Feeling numb or losing interest in things you used to care about
🔸Feeling constantly on guard
🔸Feeling irritated or having angry outbursts
🔸Having difficulty sleeping
🔸Having trouble concentrating
🔸Being jumpy or easily startled

If you think you may have symptoms of PTSD, please contact a mental health provider.

Mental health…is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going ✨.
06/24/2022

Mental health…is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going ✨.

Self-love is an important part of achieving and sustaining emotional wellness. It is also the key to loving others✨.⁣⁣⁣⁣...
06/22/2022

Self-love is an important part of achieving and sustaining emotional wellness. It is also the key to loving others✨.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Remember to take time to reflect on how your are loving yourself today. And if you would benefit from a self-love tune-up, here are some tips:⁣⁣
⁣
❣️ Write down 3 things you like about yourself today. Get in the habit of doing this every morning.⁣⁣
⁣
❣️ At the end of the day, name three things you have done for yourself. It can be something as simple as "I took a shower". Also, make this a daily habit. ⁣⁣
⁣
❣️ Challenge negative internal dialogue with positive thoughts - statements that begin with "If I were only..." "If I could have..." or anything that suggests you're not enough.⁣
⁣
❣️ Spend less than 30 min on social media a day. ⁣⁣
⁣
❣️ If you are worried or stressed about something, no matter how small it may seem, don't bottle it up. Talk to a sister-friend, a close family member, or someone else that you trust. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣

Address

Chicago, IL
60601

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr. Crystal Clark posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share