We were lucky to catch up with Tameka Pounds recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tameka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?
My journey to licensure was not an easy one I initially thought to myself I’m not going to go the licensed route I’ll just used my Masters credentials and go from there…. Boy was I wrong and internally misguided in what it would take to be successful in the field I had chosen. Eventually I decided that licensure would open many more doors and opportunities for me so I began the process. I recall studying for my licensure exam, taking my test the first time and failing by 3 points… 3 points!! I was discouraged and distraught; however with the encouragement of friends and family I quickly dusted myself off studied and tried again… I remember that day like it was yesterday… not only did I have test anxiety but I literally just didnt feel well… I persevered, prayed, and prepared to take my test.. During my test I recall having to take many breaks because I was in pain so I would try to get up walk around self motivate and pray I finish and succeed. By the end of my test I was doubled over in pain but I finished only to find out part 1 of my dream had been achieved… I passed!!!! Though I was ecstatic I drove myself straight to the emergency room where I found I would need emergency surgery due to a ruptured cyst! Talk about a buzz kill! I spent the next 6 weeks healing and recovering not able to take next steps as soon as I had planned. Upon my full recovery I found my wonderful supervisor Shelly who not only was thorough and amazing but was so encouraging to me. She often advocated for me to and encouraged me ad she spoke words of affirmation and knowledge into me that stuck with me. In fact she was one of the people in my lifetime that I accredit believing in me even before I did and speaking life and endless possibility into my heart and mind! She guided me through then tough scenarios and situations and often reminded me of how much knowledge and capability I already had; all I had to do was believe and apply. In fact she was the person who encouraged me to share my knowledge and apply to be a licensed professional counselor-supervisor when I met the criteria because of what I brought to the table. I was in complete awe of how amazing this experience was and took with me the knowledge that you never know the effect or light you shine on others even from the passenger side. This experience was the birth of the idea of starting my own practice, being brave enough to bet on myself and my capabilities and to one day share this knowledge and opportunity with others along the way on their path to full licensure as they also begin to build and consider their career trajectory.
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?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Clinical Director and Practice Owner of All Things Therapy; wherein we provide therapeutic services to individuals, families, and children in various areas of difficulty. Some of our specialties include group therapy, family & marriage therapy, trauma informed therapy, Sandtray therapy, art therapy, and psychotherapy. Stemming from the theories of Gestalt, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and a host of other theories and diagnostic methods for cognitive development, psycho education, and psychometric outcomes used for treating and tracking progress. Some of the services to come in 2026:
-Licensed Professional Counselor Associate Supervision,
-ADHD testing
-Neuro feedback and Biofeedback
We are paneled on several insurance panels and we also provide small to
mid sized agency training for professionals, program development, and enhancement and in house Employee assistance services.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I absolutely would! The work within this field is not for the faint of heart however, when you are passionate about the work you do and the people you serve you somehow find the strength to keep going even on days that feel more difficult than others. The secret?..Appropriate work life balance, an attainable sense and philosophy on self care and how it’s executed, people within your circle of life and business that are in the appropriate positions and your ability to set and maintain boundaries and parameters that protect your peace and the integrity of your business.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
That you don’t have to work until you can’t to be considered successful, worthy, or productive. I had to learn some of the same lessons twice with this mindset which were: appropriate self care, the beauty in saying no when you can’t, standing your ground even if you stand out from the crowd and one of the biggest lessons: you don’t have to go with what the majority says or does. In addition to recognizing that not appropriately addressing difficult conversations will stifle your journey. All of which have been some of the greatest trial by error lessons of destruction I’ve endured and had to learn from. Unlearning these things help me find my voice, my choice and ability to stand firm in what I believe even if I’m standing alone. “ If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything”- Malcolm X.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allthingstherapyllc.net
- Instagram: all_things_therapy_llc
- Facebook: @AllThingsTherapyLLC
