Candlelit Therapy is now Candlelit Care. Learn more.

Culturally-affirming mental health coaching that walks with you every step of the way

We are on a mission to remove stigma from perinatal mental healthcare for Black families and families who fall within the global majority.

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

— Audre Lorde

About Candlelit Care

Meet Our Founder, Lauren!

lauren Elliot, CEO of Candlelit

Lauren Elliot, 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.

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.

Mental Health Support on Your Terms

You receive a dedicated team focused on your needs, goals and can provide meaningful, personalized responses when you feel lost, unmotivated, or need guidance. Our care team approach brings together perinatal care providers to alert & share reports upon request.

Culturally-Affirming Coaching

Your perinatal mental health coach will work closely with you to develop a care plan and help you identify your unique triggers. We respect and serve backgrounds, languages, values and beliefs across the global majority. We combine evidence-based interventions and education to optimize your mental wellbeing.

Trauma-Informed Care

We incorporate a strengths framework that promotes a culture of safety and healing. We draw on a variety of practices that are evidence-based, scientifically sound and accepted through critical appraisal.

FOR HEALTH SYSTEMS & PROVIDERS

Provide a culturally-affirming app-based solution to engage and retain Black pregnant and postpartum patients

Learn how Candlelit Care can help your health system or practice implement clinical research on often overlooked and undetected mental health disorders while supporting providers and their patients with psychoeducation content and training to improve satisfaction and outcomes.

FOR HEALTH PLANS

Improve maternity care experience and quality for your members while decreasing cesarean rates and costly ER visits

Learn how Candlelit Care can improve your pre and postnatal HEDIS score by helping your members feel seen, heard and better manage their mental health during pregnancy and beyond. We help members engage in-network therapists who best reflect their needs while supporting as they navigate postpartum care.

Our Founding Team

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Joel Fickson Ngozo

CTO

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Clarké Lunara

COO

Ann Shearer, MA, FACCE, NBC-HWC

Ann Shearer, MA, FACCE, NBC-HWC

Director of Perinatal Care & Training

Charity Shaw, MPH

Charity Shaw, MPH

Senior UX & Clinical Research

Lydia Ramharack, MS, LMHC

Lydia Ramharack, MS, LMHC

Head of Perinatal Research

Jennifer Ngandu, MPH

Jennifer Ngandu, MPH

Medical Resident

Claude Ayitey

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.

Clarké Lunara

Clarké Lunara

COO & Lead Perinatal Mental Health Coach

Ann Shearer

Ann Shearer

Director of Perinatal Care & Training

Hope McGhee

Hope McGhee

Perinatal Mental Health Coach

Our Advisors

Dr. Sinmi Bamgbose, MD

Dr. Sinmi Bamgbose, MD

Reproductive Psychiatrist Advisor

Larissa D'Andrea

Larissa D'Andrea

Regulatory Advisor

Anjlee Joshi

Anjlee Joshi

Business Advisor

Erica Johnson, Neuroscientist

Erica Johnson, Neuroscientist

Behavioral Health Advisor