We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Grace Niemitalo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Grace thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Honestly, most of how I got to be a business owner and therapist was from continuous risk-taking. The first risky decision to step away from traditional education while I was in high school could have really changed the outcome of my life. I have always felt like I was alive to accomplish something (though that something remains a mystery, many days) and I believe taking that first risk really informed the path to success. Choosing to leave jobs, stay at jobs, leave relationships, stay in relationships, commit to graduate school and yoga teacher training (at the same time!) during Covid-19 shutdowns, and finally, opening my own private practice– all these decisions came with a certain amount of risk. And, as with many choices, I did not always get the outcome I was looking for. However, I think this is what makes the risk-taking always worth it. The outcomes from any risk, whether expected or not, have the ability to lead to deep learning and growing. All the pain that comes from taking a risk on yourself, the fear, the stress, the excitement, the big pay-off– it’s all worth it to me! Which leads me to my answer to this question: For as long as I can remember, and still to this day, the biggest (even when it seems small) risk I take is always on myself. I get an idea, I want to pursue it, and I go for it, whether or not it comes to fruition. I am continually takes chances on myself in an effort to discover my gifts, my depth, and my abilities.

Grace, 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 a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), small-business owner, yoga teacher (and student!), and a devoted student of life. My business, Atman Wellness LLC, was born out of the desire to provide holistic mental health care and trauma treatment through talk therapy and somatic practices, helping reconnect the mind and body so folks can tap into their full wisdom.

This isn’t completely groundbreaking in the field as a whole, but I do think I have been able to serve my community uniquely, as these types are services are not common here. My interest first began when I was taking my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in 2019-2020. I began that journey simply for business– I wanted to have more skills and knowledge to bring into the therapy room. The coolest part about it was discovering, first hand, the power of bringing my body into my healing process.

One thing I am really proud of, as a therapist, is my own personal growth. I have been shown, time and time again, that the work I do on myself has a direct impact on the folks I work with, too. It’s such a rewarding space to be in, to do my own work and deepen my capacity for empathy, trust, care, and consideration. I am just a human, having a human experience, sharing my knowledge in a therapeutic environment and my clients reap the benefits of my work simply by the way I show up. This is such a special gift that I am grateful for every day.

While I was in my YTT, I was also finishing graduate school and really building my capacity as a therapist. I have been so, so blessed to have exceptional mentors, both in yoga and in the clinical world. Because of these relationships and mentorship, I was emboldened to step out into my own private practice relatively quickly. My best friend, Alaina, was expanding her offerings and as her visioned grew, she encouraged me to share in this expansion. The love and support and opportunity that came from this friendship, alone, has been pivotal in my success.

I opened Atman Wellness in 2022 and have been growing my practice ever since. Side note: I never intended to be a therapist. I have a very macro-level way of thinking and always envisioned myself in community organizing, policy, etc. However, I kept having this vision of my actual office space– colors, shapes, design, etc.– and this name, Atman Wellness, just kept coming back to me. During my internship as a therapist, I came to realize the immense satisfaction of meeting people in their darkest times and helping them discover their own strength and true nature.

This is the most important part of the work I do– guiding people back to themselves. I believe we are all born perfectly ourselves and throughout life, we begin to collect stuff that isn’t us. No one needs to “become someone else”, no. People just need to unbecome what they are not and find their way back to themselves. I have the honor of standing beside folks as they do this incredibly brave, heartfelt, and challenging work.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

If I could give anyone interested in becoming a therapist (or anyone already a therapist) one piece of advice, it would be to continue to do your own personal work. We learn all the stuff about self-care, vicarious trauma, boundaries, etc. professionally. This is not what I am speaking to. Yes, we need to care for ourselves in the professional environment, so as not to burn out or being to take on others’ stuff as our own. However, I find it is critical to continually be addressing our own inner landscape. Taking up your own therapy, doing your own journaling, caring for your mind and body in the same way you educate others to do. Your lived experience with your mental health and wellbeing is so much more powerful than having a book with some activities to help your client with their depression. Do the work. It makes the work so much more satisfying and meaningful– and your clients will benefit, too!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

When I was growing up, I had a lot of different dreams and aspirations– an artist, a cosmetologist, a librarian, an immigration lawyer. I never had my sights set on being a therapist, let alone a business owner. However, now that I am here, in this life, I cannot imagine it any other way. As soon as I started pursuing my education in social work, I knew I was on the right track. I did not know where the path would lead, but I could feel it every step of the way– I am fulfilling the purpose of my time in this life. I am so excited to see where the path continues, as I don’t think this is the final shape my career will take. I continue to grow and learn and develop new offerings that take me deeper into this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: atmanwellnessllc.com
• Instagram: @grace_niemitalo_msw_lcsw

Image Credits
Grace Niemitalo