Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan.

Hi Morgan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I came into the field of counseling in a roundabout way. It’s actually my second career – although I’m not sure what to name the first. It was really a series of jobs that I found myself in but none of them felt purposeful and none of them gave me life. In hindsight, I am so grateful for my years in ministry, manufacturing, business and tech as it eventually led me to the realization I could be paid for the things I actually enjoyed and came naturally to me. I had in so many ways been my friends’ therapist for years and it wasn’t until one came home from a counseling session and said “Morgan, the session was really good but honestly none of it was new, it was all stuff you’d already told me,” that I realized I was meant to be a counselor. Now obviously during my Master’s program I learned so much more than what “comes natural” but truly it was the writing on the walls for years before I realized it. I was resentful for a while that it took me so long to realize it, but truly the experiences in other jobs gives me a leg up in problem solving, creativity, humor and empathy in the counseling room. I spent several years working as a mental health and drug and alcohol counselor at agencies, and now am happy to have my own business working for myself.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Oh gosh, what a question. Have there been obstacles? Of course! I don’t think anyone can foresee and mitigate all the things that come along with starting a business (although we will try anyways). My greatest obstacle starting out when reducing costs in order to maximize profit. When I left my last job I did it with a plan already in place, but not all the right pieces of the plan if that makes sense. I was paying 3X in rent and overhead what I should have been at, and didn’t realize how unrealistic that was until after the first few months were way too stressful. Obstacles in the beginning are lessons learned, though, and now my costs are much more appropriate for value added to my product.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I work primarily with clients who are seeking to grow personally, heal from past traumas and recover from alcohol and drug addictions. What I’m most proud of is how relational walking into my office feels. I have people sit on my couch that have never been in counseling, or have had negative experiences with previous therapists, feel safe immediately. They’ve said it feels like talking to a friend in that it is safe and that there is always some comic relief in there somewhere when needed, but better because instead of just complaining about things that have happened we get to resolve them through EMDR or other interventions. I approach everything with curiosity rather than judgment, which is where I think my clients feel the “kind” in “Kind Mind” most.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

I love the diversity and culture that Louisville has to offer. It’s important as a counselor that I stay well informed and culturally competent, and living in Louisville helps with that a lot. There is still plenty of work I have to do outside of eating at cool restaurants and meeting new people, but it helps me start asking the right questions I guess. It’s really pretty hard for me to think about anything I dislike about Louisville – there are great parks and we have established a great community here. I guess the traffic but that’s probably true for any city.

Pricing:

• 125 per session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://morgan-mckinley.clientsecure.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindmindneuro/
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1256022

Image Credits

@winnslens