We recently connected with Dimesha Suazo and have shared our conversation below.

Dimesha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Therapy hasn’t traditionally been a common topic of discussion, but I’m grateful to see it becoming a more familiar and open subject in our homes. From the moment I began my internship at a local acute hospital in my college town, I knew that my long-term dream was to open my own private practice. My goal has always been to make mental health more relatable and accessible to others.

Through my journey as a therapist, my philosophy has naturally evolved. I’ve come to believe that inflexibility is one of the greatest obstacles to our well-being. Life is dynamic, unpredictable, and ever-changing, and embracing this fluidity can be incredibly liberating. With this in mind, I often remind my clients that “Awareness is the greatest gift we can give ourselves.” Some of the issues addressed in therapy stem from patterns of behavior that have either become so ingrained that we don’t notice them or extremely apparent to us but seemingly impossible to overcome. My belief that honing in on our personal awareness and introspective thinking is the guiding principle that helps us navigate through difficult topics, transitions, and the many nuances of life in therapy.

With this philosophy in mind, Awareness Counseling & Consulting Services was born. Here, I strive to create a warm and supportive environment where I partner with clients to cultivate self-awareness, adaptability, and personal growth.

Dimesha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a licensed mental health therapist based in Florida. Originally from Miami, I am proud to be both Black and Cuban. This might date me a bit, but after a memorable stint dressing up as a judge at “Wanna Do City,” I initially set my sights on a career in the justice field. It wasn’t long before I discovered my true passion for walking alongside others and helping them succeed. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida.

Over the past five years, I’ve worked in various capacities at a Behavioral Health Hospital, including roles as a mental health technician, therapist, and Program Manager. I’m proud of the contributions I made and the invaluable knowledge I gained during my time there. My diverse experience across a wide range of mental health needs truly sets me apart. I specialize in supporting adolescents with anxiety, depression, dysregulated anger, and poor impulse control, as well as adults grappling with trauma, grief, and personality issues, and families facing complex communication dynamics. While I’ve addressed these needs within residential settings, my goal in private practice is to help clients proactively identify and manage these concerns before they escalate into more significant challenges.

As part of my brand, I’m passionate about providing psychoeducation that clarifies mental health concepts and fosters deeper self-awareness. Whether clients are in session with me or engaging with my content on social platforms, my goal for them is to leave with valuable insight or a nugget of information that helps them understand themselves a bit better.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Honestly, I believe it’s my authenticity and passion that have helped build my brand within the mental health field. I think effective therapists are those who genuinely understand the human experience and help clients draw from real-life situations to make healthier choices. My goal is not to present myself as perfect or to dispense infallible wisdom from an ivory tower. Instead, I strive to keep it real and while my clients often find me tough, they appreciate my sincerity. I take great satisfaction in helping others become better versions of themselves, and I believe that’s why I’ve built a reputation as a trustworthy and knowledgeable clinician.

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

One lesson I’m still learning is that perfectionistic thinking can stifle progress. Over the past two years, I’ve come to realize that my tendency to second-guess myself and avoid taking risks was rooted in my difficulty seeing the bigger picture. I now understand that fear and anxiety caused me to miss out on opportunities earlier in my life. However, I’ve made a conscious decision to step out on faith and view failure as a part of growth. Quitting my full-time job to pursue my private practice was the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but through this entrepreneurial journey, I’ve embraced and enjoyed the learning process. My confidence, both as an individual and as a clinician, has truly propelled me forward. Starting my private practice has allowed me to expand my “Why,” with the goal of creating safe spaces for engaging in vulnerable and meaningful dialogue.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://awareness-counseling.clientsecure.me
• Instagram: awareness.counseling
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimesha-suazo-lmhc-ncc-9349b8126/

Image Credits

Photographer: Corey Wheeler, _29productions
Logo Design: Paul Hopkins II, _thetoonist_
Painting: Kaelyn Thompson