We were lucky to catch up with Geanene Gordon, LCSW recently and have shared our conversation below.

Geanene, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I would love to share a story with you about a defining moment in my professional career that completely changed the trajectory of my life. It took me a while into my early adulthood to really recognize and understand what I wanted to be “when I grew up”. I knew that I wanted to help people and decided in my early 30’s my current status and career was not enough. I had also lost my oldest brother. This as a grief and pain I had not experienced and was completely devastated by. I needed purpose and I needed change, I went back to school, obtained my master’s degree and became a therapist.

One day post-graduation and while practicing as a clinician, I was asked to be a speaker at a friend of mine’s Women’s Event and I was terrified. I said yes on the basis of being a great friend and wanting to help but I had no idea what I would talk about, and the nerves instantly ran through my body. So, I did it, spoke from my heart and transformed my thoughts and emotions into heartfelt words. and afterwards I was forever changed. I spoke about my life experience, the pain that I’ve gone through, the questions and the grief that I still had about the life that I felt like I “deserved” versus the life that was given to me. I realize that this pain that I talked about needed to be put into purpose and that other women just like myself deserved to have their stories not only told but to also change the trajectory of their life. I decided that all the tests that I have been through will turn into my testimony and hopefully inspire others.

Welcome, Soul Resilience LLC, Mental and Emotional wellness. I built this company on the backbone of the pain, sacrifice and trauma that I went through in my life and decided to coach others through their own Generational Pain. I recognized that my voice was necessary for people who not only look like me but for those who share the similar path and to normalize the human emotional experience. One lesson that I learned is that I wish that I did this sooner. I wish that I was brave enough to be able to tell my truth instead of walking so many years embarrassed with shame and silenced. Continuing to do this work through Soul Resilience as well as a practicing therapist has opened up avenues for other women to share their stories, to normalize a human emotional experience and to inspire others their own healing journey. As I continue to build and grow this business, practice psychotherapy and continue to go through life, I have been able to continue to nurture my own everlasting healing journey. We are all worth it We all just need someone to believe in us.

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 back background and context?

I am honored you chose to take a moment to explore more about Soul Resilience LLC. This company was inspired by my own healing journey. My childhood included many adverse experiences that I had no idea contributed to how I currently was showing up in this world as an adult.

When I became curious about my own emotional wellbeing it led me to further my education which also allowed me to understand that my emotions are normal and valid! In addition, it allowed me to take an introspective look at how my youth experiences, deficits and past pain contributed to my adulthood. Many of us have never had discussions about mental health or educated on the necessity to nurture it. There are some that may even believe that mental health is “not real.”

I am led to advocate and educate others, especially our communities of color about the importance of mental health and not to dismiss your human emotional experience. I offer online/virtual services for coaching. Additionally, I provide in person community, business and travel collaboration to curate a personalized experience.

Services Offered:

Emotional Coaching: Niche: Cultural, Historical & Generational pain, self-abandonment & Inner Child Healing! The way you show up in the world, in your relationships and yourself are a reflection of your childhood experiences. Many of us who have gone through trauma and pain, show up guarded, unaccountable and unaware of dysfunctional coping. The needs that you did not get met as a child pour into your adult relationships. Reversing dysfunctional coping patterns allow you to go from surviving to living and being conscious, accountable and aware emotionally.

Public Speaking & Private Curated Group Workshops & Retreats: As a speaker, my goal is to advocate for the human emotional experience, educate & encourage prioritizing our mental health and removing stigma. In addition, I curate specialized experiences such as my Emotional Baggage Brunch series and workshops for retreats, private group sessions, travel retreats, ladies’ night, sip & speaks, community and no profit agencies and more.

Business Consulting: Do you need support with incorporating mental health, self-care, diversity/inclusion and wellness into your business? Allow Soul Resilience to curate trainings and/or workshops for you and your staff to help strengthen your business.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

One of the things that has been very vital, and I am cognizant of is my reputation within the market. One thing that has helped me build my reputation within my market not only has been fostering relationships professionally within the mental health world but also branching out in my community. One of the first things that I’ve done when I started my company was to connect with as many visible and relevant community resources including chamber of commerce, non-profits and other like-minded businesses like myself. It was necessary for me to pick the brains of others who have experience in my field as well as offer services as a chance to show my authority in this field.

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

One of the things that has been most helpful for being successful in my field outside of training and knowledge is life experience. One of the things that I learned quickly while entering the mental health field specifically as a clinician is that we all have our own backstory. We all have some life experience or other motivating factor that is driven us into this field to have compassion, empathy and human decency. One of the things that has really driven my career and continues to be my why is my life experience. It was necessary for me to have vulnerability and transparency in order to normalize the human emotional experience as a clinician and coach. One of the things that I also teach and preach in my work is vulnerability and transparency. Those two vital tools are essential for being a transformative clinician and coach.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soul-resilience.com
• Instagram: www,instagram.com/melanatedtherapist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulResiliencellc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggordonlcsw