Removing stigma around perinatal mental health for Black families and the global majority.

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About Candlelit Care

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Lauren Elliott, MA, MHFA

Founder and CEO

After a traumatic birth of her eldest son, founder, CEO and mom of two Lauren Elliott, developed Candlelit Care, a virtual perinatal mental health service built to identify and manage symptoms for Black pregnant and postpartum women and parents, but open to all parents at risk of perinatal mental and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in partnership with their doctors, midwives and doulas.

Candlelit Care is our flagship product that pairs Black pregnant and postpartum parents with AI-driven screening, coaching and psychoeducation led by trained peers and clinically-backed by reproductive psychiatrists and psychologists.

Lauren's maternity and birth photos

Our Story

As a team born and raised within underserved communities across the world, we have been touched by and cared for loved ones dealing with undetected and undiagnosed perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Our Mission

Our mission is to simplify access to equitable perinatal mental health treatment by offering affordable coaching and guided support to parents who often don't receive access. We partner with your maternity care team whether you choose to give birth with the support of an Obstetrician-Gynecologist doctor, midwife or doula to bring culturally-affirming care to you.

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

— Audre Lorde

Our Founding Team

Joel Fickson Ngozo

CTO

Clarké Lunara

COO

Ann Shearer, MA, FACCE, NBC-HWC

Director of Perinatal Care & Training

Claude Ayitey

Senior Designer & Head of Product

The Care Team

Our care team leads with a human-centered approach to perinatal care. Our dedicated care team and external partner network of board-certified health coaches, licensed clinical providers, midwives, doulas and therapists have experience in birth work across hospitals, birth centers, in-home care and beyond.