We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kalie Fish. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kalie below.

Hi Kalie, thanks for joining us today. 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.

The most profound risk I’ve ever taken is the risk of giving up consistency and security in order to have freedom. One day, I finally made the decision to leave behind the stability of a steady paycheck, health insurance, and other benefits. With this decision, I chose to take full responsibility for my income; relying on my work ethic, perseverance, and drive to meet my professional, financial, personal and family goals. I am a Type-A kind of person; I love a plan and I love consistency. So the logistics of moving from a salaried employee position to being a self-employed, 1099 contractor and business owner was incredibly scary for these reasons. And although the reasons for my fear are valid, if I could, I would go back in time and tell myself to take the leap sooner! Although taking this risk has come with big changes and uncertainty, it has also come with freedom; and freedom is absolutely priceless to me. It is incredibly freeing to know that I’m no longer being micromanaged in merit-based systems that reward hard workers with more work and increased productivity expectations with little physical and emotional support. In the moment that I chose to give up the idea of consistency and security in a setting that brought me little joy, I gained so much empowerment and a future of fulfillment and work-life balance. I began to matter as a human in the occupation in which I exist. Through this experience, I learned that taking risks comes with the territory of embarking on business endeavors, and they can be scary, but they can also be worth it. I’ve found that taking risks can lead to either rewards or valuable lessons, and in entrepreneurship, both are equally important.

Kalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

From a young age I’ve always known that I have had a strong interest in human psychology and functioning. I found that I also enjoyed being a listening ear, and offering words of comfort to anyone who could use it. I carried these interests into my college education, career, and future plans in order to pave the way for becoming a therapist.

I learned early on in my career that the treatment of trauma is what I was drawn to treat. It made sense to me that many people can suffer mentally and physically as a result of trauma and I wanted to learn methods to help people achieve genuine healing in order for them to achieve their goals and fulfilling lives. I treat trauma utilizing an eclectic style of evidence-based trauma treatment models such as, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Internal Family Systems. I also am trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) which facilitates me in helping those suffering with depression and trauma-related symptoms, overcome safety concerns and significant distress intolerance and relationship difficulties. I am also informed in attachment theory which also guides my treatment focus with clients who suffer from trauma histories.

I love providing hope to those I encounter, whether in treatment or in passing, by showing them that true healing from trauma is possible—and with the right support, it can be achieved.

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

If I could go back, I would choose the same profession and specialization every time. I have never regretted my career or the diagnoses I chose to specialize in treating. I truly go to work loving what I do, and that’s how I know I made the right decision. I feel incredibly grateful that I found and pursued the path to becoming a trauma therapist.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think there are a couple of factors that have helped me build my reputation within my market. This is because I believe that the foundation of my reputation is twofold: my reputation with clients and my reputation with peers.

I continue to make ongoing efforts to make professional connections within my field to grow my referral networks and have esteemed peers I can turn to for consultation when it may be needed.

I have worked toward having a positive reputation amongst clients by being as genuine and authentic as I can be in my work with my clients. I try my hardest to be human first with them. I am shamelessly myself during sessions; leaning into my compassionate, empathetic, humous and direct communication style. I think this is something that is greatly appreciated amongst my clients. I hold them accountable, and I’m gentle while I do it. I don’t pretend to know more than my clients. I’m there as a tool in the box, and make it clear that it is what a client chooses to do with it that determines what they will get out of their experience.

I often receive word-of-mouth referrals due to my therapy style, the work I do in sessions, and my efforts to connect with other professionals in my field and community. I always say that’s the greatest compliment I can receive!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.handinhandcounselingllc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handinhandcounselingservices/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handinhandcounselingllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliefishlpcc
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handinhandcounselingllc