We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alexis Evans a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alexis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Betting on myself is the biggest risk I have ever taken! Over the years, I have experienced a lot of things, being a black woman is lit! It has also required a lot of hard work, dedication and determination, and it doesn’t stop now! While experiencing the global pandemic, starting a new business, moving into my home, managing my anxiety and healing from past trauma, I remember thinking to myself “this is too much” but during that time I was also reminded that while facing adversities “I must remain teachable, remember my dreams and why I started and that God is with me! If I hadn’t learned anything else I learned to keep pushing, keep going, keep learning and to keep growing!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In 2021 I launched my private practice, Intentional Living Psychotherapy and developed my personal brand, @_theIntentionaltherapist. While we all experience life differently, I understood how much our mental health and wellness played an important part in overcoming adversities and living a life worthwhile! Since then, I have guided hundreds of individuals how to define their goals based on their values, to learn more about themselves, and ways they can accomplish their goals by living intentionally.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
While launching my business and personal brand, I remember feeling some much worry and I fear that I almost talked myself out of creating content under the guise of “I’m not comfortable creating content that resonate with my audience,” but because I was able to pause, breathe, and become more self-aware of my thoughts and feelings, I realized that that notion was a distortion that “I’m not good enough” and a lie straight from a donkey’s ass (that was BULLSHIT). But being self-awareness (a mindfulness practice I teach my clients), helped me examine my implicit biases, core beliefs, and misconceptions and ultimately show up more authentically, as a young woman who welllll still trying to figure it out! My content coach so graciously reminded me that this wasn’t brain surgery and no one would be harmed or negatively impacted by my decision to show up as my authentic self. That’s also something I like to leave with my clients!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think we’ve previously had this notion that mental health professionals have it all together. That we should practice what we preach and be able to handle our own problems but that’s not always the case. I struggle too. But one thing I share with clients and others in the field is that there will be seasons that will be more fruitful than others and there will be seasons where I must show up differently in order to manage my mental health. As a mental health therapist, I recognize the work that I do is challenging, and it can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout and how I show up for myself and my clients is important. I make it a priority to continue to do my own work, I go to therapy and I check in with myself to process my own feelings. I think my personal growth and journey is important in how I show for my clients and that makes all the difference. I know a lot of my clients can relate to that!
Contact Info:
- Website: intentionallivingpsychotherapy.com
- Instagram: @_theintentionaltherapist
Image Credits
@byashleenicole