We were lucky to catch up with Fitkeesha Beckford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Fitkeesha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in the field that you currently practice in.

My first job was a really eye opening experience but it helped to solidify my decision to continue serving folx in underrepresented communities. Underrepresented communities are our next door neighbors and professionals, who have to fight twice as hard to receive the same benefits that are automatically given or geographically placed to improve one’s quality of life. I was able to acquire my first job with the help of a classmate turned colleague who was already employed there. I then did some research of my own to verify the company’s mission, policies and practices – I wanted to ensure that it aligned with the goals and vision I had for my career. I worked for a community-based company as a Functional Family Therapist (FFT), providing short-term in-home therapy services to families and their children that were referred by the juvenile justice, mental health, school or child welfare systems.

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 background and context?

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the State of Georgia. I’m originally a native of NY with Jamaican roots. I always had a passion for helping others but wasn’t able to pinpoint in what capacity until college. I had an introduction to therapeutic services during my 2nd Bachelors degree, when I was employed as a Community Support Individual. Once I completed my Masters Program at Valdosta State University, I served in various facets of therapeutic settings; collegiate, hospitalization, in-home, school, and finally, private practice.

Initially, I wasn’t interested in owning my own practice, but after managing someone else’s practice for 3 years and much encouragement from family, friends and colleagues, I was driven to begin a Boutique Private Practice of my own- Brevity of the Soul, LLC. The name of my Boutique Private Practice stemmed from the modalities in which I practice and the belief that therapy should be brief. I am with you for an allotted period of time, whether weekly, biweekly or monthly. My goal as my Client’s Therapist is to equip them with the skills and techniques needed to apply to the presenting problem as well as problems outside that may arise. I want them to be able to utilize the skills across other areas of their lives so that therapy doesn’t become a crutch or a long term solution, unless necessary. Ultimately I want them to become the best versions of themselves.

The clients that I serve experience circumstances surrounding anxiety, depression, empowerment, freedom of self, life’s adjustments and transitions, LGBTQ+ issues, marriage, mood changes, relationships, stress, and wellness.

I specialize in working with folx who identify their sexuality and are transitioning out of their heterosexual marriage into a same-sex marriage or relationship. This includes realizing that they are attracted to the same sex and what that change looks like going forward. I work with professional men and women, primarily women, who have been in marriages and relationships for years and met with challenges of acceptance from family, friends and colleagues. I teach them to be accepting of themselves and work through adjusting to their new systemic shift.

I am most proud of ethically starting and managing a business, and knowing the clients I serve are benefiting from my services. I take pride in having a passion to increase my knowledge in my field through training, seminars, webinars, and reading new educational material to maximize my potential.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I most certainly would. Although I’m sure that I would be great in any other career, I wouldn’t be living in what I consider my capital “T” truth. Helping people make connections within their entire system (family, health, relationships, career, etc) and navigate through life is bigger than myself. I attended Valdosta State University’s Masters Program. It was a rigorous program that was very fundamental in who I am as a Therapist today due to the program’s structure. For example, one of the best parts of the curriculum was the practicum, where a supervisor and a team were behind a two-way mirror as I was conducting sessions and they provided pre-and post-session feedback. It helped to shape me by teaching me to hone in on the therapeutic modalities that today, allow me to best serve my clients.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most important thing to be successful in this field, depending on how one measures success, is boundaries. I say boundaries solely because it encompasses many areas. Some types of boundaries are physical, emotional, material, and intellectual. My belief is that when you have boundaries surrounding your business, work-life balance, people or situations in your life, it increases your level of wellness. It allows you to be in a place where your self-care is maintained at its highest level. You’re not pouring from an empty cup in order to give to others, rather, you’re able to give from an overflowing cup. We have to recognize that we are humans as well, and although we possess a skill to help facilitate healthy changes in others’ lives, we have to have things in place to keep our equilibrium balanced as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brevityofthesoul.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitkeesha-beckford-lmft-42557a11a
• Facebook: Brevity of the Soul
• Instagram: brevityofthesoul

Image Credits
Infinite Vision – Victoria Burden