We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patience Riley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patience below.

Patience , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

One interaction can change the trajectory of a person’s story, and it can be the difference between life and death.

At the beginning of my career, I worked for a mental health crisis line, and I remember two phone calls vividly. These are two calls I will never forget. One was from a person walking along the road to a nearby bridge, while the other was sobbing in their room with pills.

Both callers were one step away from ending their lives and called the crisis line to seek hope and help.

I spoke to both callers for approximately 2 hours each and learned more about them, their stories, and what brought them to this point. In different ways, they both felt as if they had fallen into a hole so deep they couldn’t climb out. So, on those days, I listened, supported, and held space for them. I still remember how one of the callers sounded when she said, “I just needed to know that there was still hope, and you gave that to me today.”

My experiences at the crisis line shaped who I am as a Mental Health Therapist and how I navigate life. I understand the impact one person can have on another person’s life. One interaction, smile, short conversation, or listening ear can make a huge difference. It can provide hope and help.

Patience , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure, I’m Patience! A creative, foodie, outdoor lover, Licensed Therapist, Speaker, and writer. Through my platform, WHOA MAMA, I utilize my 12 years of experience as a Licensed Therapist with specialized training in perinatal mood disorders to equip women with simple but effective ways to incorporate mental health techniques into their everyday life. I offer virtual mental health counseling to GA and NE residents. In addition, I have a signature program for pregnant women, A Postpartum State of Mind. This program is offered as a 6-week group or 3-hour class to educate, normalize, and validate the changes that occur to one’s mental health after having a baby. My favorite part of the program is every person who participates leaves with a detailed postpartum recovery care plan to share with her support persons. The care plan was designed to ensure every woman has the information, tips, tools, and referrals to ensure her fourth trimester is truly a recovery period.

Before starting my private practice, I worked in various settings, including juvenile detention centers, psychiatric hospitals, crisis lines, community mental health agencies, and military installations. While working full-time, I decided to open my private practice on the side in 2017. Then shortly after having my son in 2019, I had to relocate due to my husband and I receiving military orders. As a military spouse, I don’t really have a say in where and when I live, so I had to kiss the full-time job I loved goodbye. Thank goodness I still had my business because, after our move, I decided to be a full-time mommy and work in my private practice.

Since then, my business has grown in ways I never imagined. It started as a simple private practice where I rented an office and saw a few clients for individual therapy, and that is all I thought it would be. Nothing more, nothing less. However, after having my son, I realized I could reach and serve clients not only as a Therapist but through my passions for speaking and writing as well. My son is, hands down, why my simple private practice transformed into the brand it is today.

As a speaker I serve audiences by offering keynote speeches, workshops, and panel discussions on a variety of mental wellness topics such as boundaries, burnout, perinatal mental health, military, mindfulness techniques, stress, and self-care strategies. Some of my previous partnerships include organizations such as Postpartum Support International, Policy Center for Maternal Mental health, Service Women Action Network, Virginia Tech, and Brazelton Touchpoints Center.

As a writer and expert in the mental health field I have been featured in Vanity Fair London, Reckon News, Women’s eNews, Izzy & Liv and contributed pieces to Mantra Wellness Magazine, Military Spouse Magazine, and Wounded Warrior Project. I also maintain my blog, WHOA MAMA, where I share a monthly newsletter with one word to focus on for the month, mental wellness, and self care tips.

Becoming a mother was the catalyst that changed the course of my business, shook my world, and opened my eyes in so many ways; therefore, whether I’m working with someone in a individual or group setting, speaking to them at a conference, or they’re reading one of my articles I want them to feel empowered, equipped, and encouraged to prioritize their mental health.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

My work as a therapist is very intimate as I often see sides of people they are afraid to share with those closest to them. So, when I start working with folks, it is crucial that they feel safe. Creating a space where someone feels emotionally safe is not something that can be taught. It doesn’t matter how many theories, frameworks, or techniques someone knows; if they lack compassion, empathy and are not personable, developing a space of safety and trust will be challenging. This is one of the qualities I admire the most about the amazing therapists I have in my circle.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Surprisingly, social media. When I started my blog in 2019/2020, I started posting on social media even though I had no idea what I was doing. Over time I learned more about content creation, strategy, messaging, etc. Sharing mental health tips, stories, and my life as a mom has led to many opportunities. Before utilizing my blog and social media, the knowledge, tips, and tools I shared online were exclusive to my colleagues and clients.

Most of my speaking engagements and expert features came from someone seeing or sharing a piece of my content on social media. One of my most significant accomplishments in building my reputation in the perinatal mental health field was becoming the Communications Manager of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, a program within Postpartum Support International. With this position, I get to blend my work as a Therapist and creativity by developing content around perinatal mental health. When I started posting on social media, I would have never thought it would have provided as many opportunities as it has.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whoamamas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoamama_blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WHOAMAMABLOG
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patience-riley-ncc-lpc-bb948521/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@whoamama/about
• Other: Pinterest: https://pin.it/5xyY8fr