Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Rochelle M. Thompson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Rochelle , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment in my career was all the people telling me that I could never do this. I am a single mother of four and have been divorced, cheated on, talked about, left behind and some more- and along the way of my own healing and fighting to be a CEO, I heard so much negativity in the times when I needed people to speak light, compassion, and love to me. There were so many people that didn’t believe that I could get a doctorate, or even start a business without the help of a man, and/or without coming from wealth. I used that as motivation to stay up late and wake up early, dreaming and thinking about where I wanted to see myself and it in turn led me to the point in which I am not only earning more than six figures, but I can provide opportunities for others.

It has been amazing to take my business, and then in turn create a non-profit, and provide services to those from the same community that I GREW up in, with the opportunity to change their lives as well. This is what drives me to this day, I have so many people now watching me, but more are cheering and depending on me now than there are negatives. For that, I am humbled and wiser AND TAKE the work very seriously that I DO. I didn’t give up so that we can leave people better than we find them. Most importantly, those darkest moments where I felt the most shame and the hardest on myself are the places where I now remind myself no longer serve me. We hear a lot in society about diamonds and pressure- those moments may have been good for getting through the pressure, but I have learned that after that diamond is created under that pressure, its’ beauty is appreciated, and its’ value means that it doesn’t belong in just anyone’s hands.

Dr. Rochelle , 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 am the Founder of a non-profit called The Black Voice Project and the proud CEO of RMThompson & Co. RMThompson & Co. has turned into a highly successful company that helps amplify voices that would not normally be heard, and a place that provides psychological safety, to help everyone grow and learn.

I am a doctor in clinical psychology, working over six years as an entrepreneur and a licensed and certified clinical psychologist specializing in psychotherapy for anxiety, sports psychology, depression, and trauma-related disorders. We focus on evidence-based cognitive and behavioral treatments, tailored to each individual, within a collaborative and compassionate environment. I am a published author and speaker, who helps in the private and public sectors, with a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable so that clients achieve sustainable change.

I also founded a non-profit called the Black Voice Project, where I continue to advocate for those in my community in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.  More importantly, I am a proud mother of four beautiful children.

What am I the proudest of?

As far as my personal story, I can truly say that I am one of the people that shouldn’t have made it this far. I often reflect on my upbringing and how I came from a broken home dynamic and was left behind in the hospital as an infant. If it hadn’t been for my grandmother who came and saved my life, I might not have been able to understand what it means to help others. So, I am proudest of the fact that I can be a living representation of resilience and taking responsibility for my life, and not allowing those experiences growing up without living with my biological parents or bouncing around to stop me from dreaming and believing. I am also very proud of winning a few awards to date, running for County Council in PG County, and also doing a few things scared as opposed to not doing them at all.

The main thing that I want people to know is:
That their mental health is important, and they owe it to themselves to be their best self. So, even if it isn’t with me, I want to encourage people to find someone to confide in and help them with their walk as they navigate through a world that is becoming more complex. You deserve to be happy, and good things are supposed to happen to you- but it starts with knowing WHO you are so that you don’t become things that other people want you to be.

What sets me apart is:

I believe in being authentic. I make mistakes and I am imperfect, so that provides a space of non-judgment and freedom for others in sessions. I customize the work to my client’s needs, and we try to enjoy the moments. There is no other experience than the ones that we have in our sessions because they truly are a safe space for my clients and allow them to be exactly who they are, and where they are- and we take it one session at a time so that they can become whom they want to be and go where they want to go.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson that I had to unlearn was that I don’t have to be for everybody. I used to think that everyone had to accept me and love me, or want to work with me. I would think that I needed to bend and break to try and conform to the world’s standards. As I matured and learned more about myself, I realized that I had to keep it real- which I did so by giving myself permission to say “no”, with a period and without explanation. I also had to normalize allowing people the space to choose whomever they need to in their life and be honest and accept when the choice just isn’t me. I live a more peaceful and stress-free life because of this.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson that I had to unlearn was that I don’t have to be for everybody. I used to think that everyone had to accept me and love me, and want to work with me, and the way to do that was I needed to bend and break to try and conform to the worlds’ standards. I then learned that I wasn’t being honest with myself by doing that, and I have permission to say “no” and to normalize allowing people the space to choose whoever they need to in their life, and be honest when it isn’t me.

I live a more peaceful and stress-free life because of this.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing your clientele is to be okay with making mistakes but also learn from them. It is okay to fall forward, don’t focus too much on the hyper extreme of being a perfectionist. It can cause you to burn out and overthink, which can later cause you to hesitate or not follow your instincts. You can’t grow your business when you are constantly questioning your worth, and decisions.  Own it! Own your “stuff” so to speak. Also, do what you are good at and then become disciplined with your craft. Most importantly, and the most valuable lesson I have learned is that you have to share your work. We live in a very fast-paced world, and it is selfish for you to keep your God-given gift to yourself – because you are scared.

Take care of your clients/customers. Don’t doubt the ability of WORD OF MOUTH. Most of my business has come from the quality of service which then turned into a referral. I have to thank my clients for that, and I am forever humbled and quick to work with those that provide me with endless referrals.

Lastly, don’t shy away from taking your business seriously. Don’t call it “little”. You don’t have a little business or a little product. Don’t shy away from calling yourself a CEO- the way you talk to yourself and about your business matters. See the vision, write the plan, launch the goals, and then execute the actions.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.rochellemthompson.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/doctorrthompson
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/doctorrthompson
• Linkedin: Www.LinkedIn.com/rochellemthompson
• Twitter: Www.twitter.com/doctorrthompson
• Youtube: Www.YouTube.com/doctorrthompson