We were lucky to catch up with Kandice Moss recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kandice , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Married in May of 2011, pregnant December 2011, accepted to my dream Graduate School in January 2012. Although time was moving along and beautiful life changes were happening, I hadn’t forgotten about some personal goals of my own. The decision to pursue and complete a graduate school experience at Columbia College Chicago was facing me. I decided to go for it and take the risk on myself. The decision to become the first Black Registered Dance Movement Psychotherapist in Michigan was a dream. There was a personal connection I had with children in Detroit whose voices were being silenced from there day to day woes; from foster care, to single parent households to bullying to just needing a healthy outlet of movement. I recognized there were not safe, non-traditional outlets for children to express their needs, whether at home or at school.

What did this look like? It looked like commitment. Commitment for me at the time was being hands-on as a wife and mother Thursday evenings – Monday evenings. Traveling from Detroit to Chicago via Megabus and Amtrak train. Focused as a graduate student Tuesday through Thursday. Persistent to see this journey until the end every week for one whole year.

I made the commitment to “Be The Example” for my daughter at the time. So often are we cheering others on to “live your dream,” “You can do it,” but not often does one get to experience what taking a risk or going for your dreams look like. I wanted to be more than just a cheerleader for my daughter. I knew I had to complete my dream.

To be honest, not one point in this journey was easy. Difficulties in my marriage arose and mom guilt was ever present. In these moments what did I lean on? I leaned on and into my faith. I knew the spiritual component that dance had on my life as an early believer and constantly enthralled myself into my faith. Ritual prayers were said morning-after-morning when I was alone in Chicago and the song “Oceans” was the soundtrack of my life for an entire year. “1 Samuel 15:22 was a frequent scripture which I recited in times of distress, despair and discouragement, “What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep.” I knew this was a spiritual journey for myself as a woman, wife, and mother and not many would understand. Many people did not understand and if I am being honest, I wanted them to. Being understood is much easier that being misunderstood. Soon enough, I came to learn that was not the battle at hand, my intention and focus was to be on completing graduate school. This was my journey, my truth; therefore, they would not understand, and I had to learn to be okay with that.

The completion of Year 1 of the program was upon me, and even more exciting news began to evolve. I was pregnant with our 2nd child. What was I to do? The only thing I knew and that was to “keep going.” Carrying my baby bump of a son with me for the duration of year 1 is what needed to get done, so we did it! I took a year off to enjoy my growing family. What was to be a 2 ½ year program turned out to be 3 ½ year. With the support of my husband, family, and cohort – it got done!

Graduating and relocating back to the Detroit-Metropolitan area was a success.
At the time, what I thought were barriers was insight and tools to be the best clinician based on lived experiences and a master’s expertise for the community that now serve as a private practice owner.

• Children needing an outlet to express & build tools to support their mental health
• Women feeling ill-equipped to pursue their career while simultaneously growing a family.
• Women adjusting to life transitions (parenthood, marriage, etc.)
• Couples with challenges in their relationships
• Children & Adults impacted by foster-care systems
• Child-Parent Relationships

Taking a risk is hard, especially when it impacts others, specifically your family. I am grateful for the experience, the challenges and the success which translates into the woman, wife, mother, and group practice owner I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Kandice Moss is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, holding a Masters degree in Dance Movement Psychotherapy and Professional Counseling. Her own experience of the healing power of dance and movement and her interest in helping individuals find their “why” led her to further her education in this field.

Kandice brings a wealth of experience to her private practice, Moss Therapy and Wellness, PLLC. Kandice holds an endorsement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health along with extensive training in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). She’s worked as a dance movement therapist for children and adults with special needs and geriatic population with Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Her current speciality of services include anxiety, depression, trauma and life transitions.

“Connection and relationships” are her motto. Kandice is passionate about helping individuals foster self-awareness and gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by using movement as a modality to further integrate themselves into a whole BEING– physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Kandice is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and Michigan Dance/Movement Therapy Collective. Kandice is the Executive Director of The Moss Foundation, a 501(c)(3), supporting children and famlies across the Detroit Metropolitan Area.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team reminds me of managing children. I recognize that each team member has their own personality and need a specific way of being communicated to. It is also important to me leading a team to give grace. We are all in a field of being helpers that at times we are overlooked as “having it together”, therefore it is important to me to support each team member with what they need individually. Lastly, ensuring they feel valued and supported are value systems our practice carries.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During my graduate school years, there were no Megabus or Amtrak tickets available. I maintained my nightly bedtime routine with my daughter and decide to drive to Chicago for my morning class and drove back to Michigan 1 day later. I was committed to the journey. While it would have been easier to stay at home, and settle for what was given to me (i.e. no tickets) I remained persistent and was willing to rise the occasion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mosstherapyandwellness.com
• Instagram: Mosstherapyandwellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosstherapyandwellness
• Linkedin: Moss Therapy and Wellness
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1QHhhNXwPLJlQw9h-4UpRA

Image Credits
Robin Gamble Photography