Dr. Chyna Hill

Dr. Chyna Hill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in perinatal mental health, trauma-informed care, and culturally affirming therapeutic practices. With over a decade of experience in clinical practice, community engagement, and research, Dr. Hill has dedicated her career to addressing the mental health disparities faced by Black women and families. Her career began with extensive direct service work, including roles in private foster care, the Department of Family and Children Services, and group home settings, where she provided critical support to vulnerable populations. This also includes her work at Sunrise Domestic and Sexual Violence Center where she worked with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, equipping them with tools for safety, healing, and independence. These experiences shaped her deep understanding of systemic challenges and continue to inform her holistic approach to mental health and wellness.

Dr. Hill honed her research skills during a postdoctoral fellowship with the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society at the University of Southern California (USC), where she contributed to groundbreaking projects addressing systemic inequities through AI-driven solutions. Her expertise extends to trauma recovery, particularly through the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Dr. Hill’s career also includes her work as a Senior Researcher at Google, where she leads innovative user experience research focused on AI and workflow automation.

As the Co-Founder of Black Girls Mental Health Collective Foundation (BGMHCF) & the Black Girls Mental Health Collective, Dr. Hill spearheads initiatives that expand access to culturally competent maternal mental health services. She has successfully built a network of partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and policy advocates to enhance outreach and deliver impactful programs. Dr. Hill holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, as well as Agile and Scrum Master certifications, which equip her with advanced expertise in managing complex projects, fostering team collaboration, and delivering impactful programs efficiently and effectively. Dr. Hill’s leadership has been instrumental in securing sustainable funding and creating referral pathways that prioritize equitable mental health care for Black mothers and families.

Dr. Hill holds a PhD in Social Work and is recognized for her advanced training in evidence-based therapeutic modalities. She is an EMDR Certified Practitioner and has earned a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. Her additional credentials include training in Motivational Interviewing, Problem-Solving Therapy, and trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).Dr. Hill has contributed significantly to the fields of maternal mental health and systemic inequity research through innovative program development and community-centered initiatives. She has been instrumental in securing $3 million in grant funding over the course of her career to support culturally responsive mental health programs. Her work includes the development of the CAPER program at Oakland Natives Gives Back, which provided trauma-informed therapy to at-promise youth and birthing individuals.

Dr. Hill’s vision is rooted in empowering Black families through access to culturally affirming, trauma-informed care. By combining her clinical expertise, research acumen, and passion for community-driven solutions, she continues to shape a future where mental health equity is the standard, not the exception. Dr. Hill is the proud mother of a two-year-old (Tessa Grace) and deeply cherishes the journey of parenthood alongside her partner. Having personally navigated the challenges of postpartum depression, she draws on her lived experience to strengthen her connection to this work and fuel her unwavering commitment to supporting Black mothers. Dr. Hill’s dedication is also inspired by the resilience and wisdom of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose legacies profoundly shape her approach to community care and advocacy.