We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Cheyenne Bryant a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Cheyenne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

I started practicing over 10+ years ago. Prior to starting my practice, I observed other therapist and coaches by watching YouTube videos, reading articles and books, investing in seminars, conferences, and workshops. I intentionally watched the experts I wanted to teach like, show up like, and live the quality of life they lived. It’s always been important to me that, I observe the folks that I admire, those whose decision making skills I respect, and those who breed the results I desire. The biggest mistakes people make are not investing in their personal and professional development, being mentored by the wrong people, and not obtaining the experience needed to evolve into who and what they want to be.

The main steps I had to take when opening up my practice were figuring out my audience/client base. Obviously, there is no practice without clients. Next, I had to find an affordable office space or location that would allow me to pay my overhead and still make a profit. Following that, I decided the monthly income I wanted to obtain. Once, that was decided on I calculated how many clients with my given rate, I had to see in order to reach that goal. My client caseload goal was set on that. Lastly, I had to brand and market myself, so I hired an intern assistant, intern social media and marketing manager, and branding team. I’d highly recommend that you hire as many interns as possible to save money. The only thing, I would have done differently was opened my practice sooner, trusted myself more, and took more chances instead of being conservative at the beginning.

The advice I would give young professionals who might be considering starting their own practice is START NOW! Don’t wait for the “right time.” The time is always right. Dive into your industry and gather as much experience as possible, because words don’t teach, experience does. Get a mentor that has the personal and professional lifestyle you desire, spend as much time with them as you can, ask every question that comes to mind, and ask them how you could be of service to their practice. The quickest way to wealth is through service.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Welcome! Dr. Cheyenne Bryant is a Psychology Expert, renowned Life Coach, Teen Mom Life Coach and Co-producer of MTV’s nominated, “Best Unscripted Reality Show,” ranked #1 Author in SUCCESS Magazines top 20, the President of NAACP; branch #1069, Founder of Dr. Bryant Institute, Founder of Dr. Bryant Foundation, author of the award-winning Readers Favorite Five- Star book, “Mental Detox,” Speaker, community activist, host, and brand ambassador.

Dr. Bryant’s mission is to spread her message and expertise on how to lead a healthier, happier, balanced and more fulfilling life. For years, she has shared her wisdom, awareness, mastery, and insight through her private practice, book, lectures, workshops, and assisting individuals with life impairments and challenges. Dr. Bryant embarked on a similar journey as the one you are undertaking, assisted by Iyanla Vanzant, Oprah Winfrey, Marianne Williamson, and many more. Dr. Bryant’s passion for healing, encouraging, and empowering others is what led her to become a Doctor of Psychology and a Life Coach.

Dr. Bryant attended Cal State University of Northridge at the age of 17. While there, she obtained a double degree in Psychology and Pan African studies. During her first two years, she was undecided as to what field she should pursue as a career. Organically, she ended up choosing psychology. She still wasn’t quite sure why, however. She didn’t realize what had triggered her interest until she entered the Master’s Program at University of Phoenix. She was about halfway through the Master’s program and boom! It hit her! She had A LOT of healing within herself that needed to be done. Dr. Bryant’s desire for self-fulfillment, healing, peace, and balance within herself and others drew her to the field of psychology. Being the overachiever that she is, Dr. Bryant decided to pursue her Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University.
Dr. Bryant is a pro-active community activist. She sits on many community and collegiate boards such as Los Angeles Harbor College. She volunteers her time providing community care, inspirational speeches, lectures, mentoring, and resources to youth state facilities and at-risk youth programs. In 2014, Dr. Bryant founded the “Dr. Bryant Team” which created and provided employment opportunities. The “Dr. Bryant Team” focused on providing food, hygiene, clothing, programs, and resources to the disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles County all of which Dr. Bryant solely funded. As a result, of her impact on the community, Dr.

Bryant founded the Dr. Bryant Foundation; a 501c3 non-profit that provides school supplies, clothing, computers, and exposure to the underprivileged, and implements needs and resolutions to the community to advance the inner-city youth, and families.

Dr. Bryant Institute provides Life Coaching for individuals, couples, private group wellness retreats, corporate and company workshops, retreats, keynote speaking, and private practice consulting. We offer an online Hybrid Life Coaching Certification program for existing therapist, coaches, and up and coming therapist and coaches.

I’m most proud of the lives I’ve been able to change daily. I’m most proud of giving my parents the return on their investment in me and hearing them say, “I’m so proud of you.” I’m most proud of the character and healing I’ve encountered along this journey of helping others obtain the same. There is a unique special bond that develops with each client. And, I’m beyond proud and grateful for each one. Thank you, to every client that has allowed me the honor of being a part of your healing journey. I love you all!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I would choose the same profession. Helping others get to a place of peace, mental health, and build a great quality of life is my passion and purpose. As a young girl, I found myself organically coaching, guiding, and helping others process their pain pockets and trauma. The only difference now is that I have four credentials, education, experience, and I’m a Doctor!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn is not to personalize life. No one is exempt from life’s tribulations. It’s not the circumstance that causes us agony, it’s the way we perceive the circumstance that does. Once, I learned how to shift my perception to only those thoughts and emotions that I want to magnify. Life became easier, and I became liberated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://drbryant.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_drbryant/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_DrBryant
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n1CvjdaIRpJPF8SZK3lmg
• Other: https://drbryantinstitute.getlearnworlds.com

Image Credits
Chayne Deshaun