Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins has never been one to shrink from truth. As a licensed professional counselor, ordained minister, author, and dynamic keynote speaker, she has built a life and career centered on naming what others overlook. And today, she stands as one of America’s most powerful voices at the intersection of race, mental health, and healing for Black women.
The Founder and CEO of New Seasons Counseling, Training and Consulting, Dr. Collins is more than a therapist—she’s a movement. Her groundbreaking work challenges outdated norms in mental health that often ignore the cultural, spiritual, and emotional complexities of African American life. She doesn’t just advocate for culturally responsive therapy; she embodies it. With over 28 years of experience and a grief journey of her own, Dr. Collins brings not only credentials but also deep compassion and lived insight.
“The mental health of African Americans has been systemically ignored,” she says. “We must bring the backstory of our Black story to the foreground.”
And she’s doing exactly that through multiple platforms—starting with her riveting speaking reel. Audiences can watch her in action and witness the passion and power behind her words: Watch Dr. LaVerne Collins Speak
But it doesn’t stop on stage. Dr. Collins is the voice behind “The MultiCultural Mindset” podcast, a weekly show that boldly addresses the unspoken realities of BIPOC mental wellness. More than a resource for therapists and counselors, the podcast is a liberation tool—empowering both providers and clients to decolonize therapy and heal with cultural integrity.
“The multicultural mindset is not cultural competence. It’s not a checklist. It’s a way of being—of seeing what has always been hidden in plain sight.”
Dr. Collins is the author of two transformative books: The Fruit of Your Pain: Experiencing Spiritual Renewal Through Seasons of Struggle and her latest must-read from Rowman and Littlefield, OVERLOOKED: Counselor Insights for the Unspoken Issues in Black American Life. In it, she uncovers the hidden emotional labor of Black women, the myths surrounding the Strong Black Woman, and the tragic outcomes of systemic blind spots in mental health—from misdiagnoses to untreated grief.
Her mission is not just professional, but deeply personal. In 2019, Dr. Collins experienced the devastating loss of her 32-year-old son to suicide—a tragedy that revealed, in painful hindsight, the cultural missteps, stigma, and silencing that had been part of his story.
“My loss informed my writing. And I hope my writing helps others name their pain, reclaim their power, and rewrite the narrative.”
Her curriculum, MC2: The MultiCultural MasterClass, is training the next generation of culturally responsive counselors. Through this 12-month program, she mentors mental health professionals to become certified trainers and consultants, extending the ripple effect of her mission.
Dr. Collins has garnered national recognition, including being named one of the “10 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in the USA to Watch in 2025” by The USA Leaders, and receiving the 2024 Trailblazer Award from the Transformation Training Institute. She has contributed to major textbooks and journals, including Counseling Today, The Sage Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, and Springer’s Multicultural Counseling textbook.
Her dream?
“To see culturally aware counseling become the norm, not the niche. I want Black women to be seen, heard, and healed. I want us to be held in spaces where our grief isn’t pathologized, our strength isn’t exploited, and our brilliance isn’t overlooked.”
Connect with Dr. LaVerne H. Collins:
- Podcast: The MultiCultural Mindset on YouTube
- Website: NewSeasons.training
- Instagram: @new_seasons_ctc
- LinkedIn: Dr. LaVerne Collins
Bottom Line: Dr. LaVerne H. Collins is redefining what healing looks like for Black women and the professionals who serve them. Her message is clear: We must no longer overlook what matters most. And thanks to her voice, vision, and visibility—we won’t.
Related Reading:
- Because We Bring Our Trauma to Work – CEO Times
- Women’s Insider: The Intersection of Healing and Heritage
- Speakers Magazine Feature on Dr. Collins
- LaVerne Hanes Collins PhD: Trailblazing a New Era in Culturally Sensitive Mental Health
