Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karimah Cornelius-Stith, M.A., LCPC, CST, CSAM. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Karimah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Before opening New Reflections Therapeutic Services in 2012, I felt God’s gentle reassurance urging me to step out in faith and trust the vision He placed on my heart. That moment became the catalyst for establishing the practice. My vision was clear to create a safe and compassionate space where individuals and couples could navigate life’s challenges and rediscover themselves. The journey was not easy, but it was deeply fulfilling. From the very beginning, I wanted every person who entered my office to feel they had stepped into a haven of healing and hope.

As my practice grew, I noticed something consistent in the stories my clients shared, intimacy. Whether it was disconnection, desire struggles, trust after betrayal, or silence around physical closeness, intimacy issues seemed to be at the heart of so many relational challenges. At the same time, I was volunteering with women who had survived sexual abuse, and their stories moved me profoundly. I saw how trauma could fracture one’s relationship with their body, make intimacy feel unsafe, and silence even the most resilient voices. It was not enough for me to just sit with their pain, I wanted to be better equipped to help them heal.

That realization galvanized my decision in 2019 to specialize in sex therapy. Pursuing certification allowed me to combine my clinical training with a deeper understanding of how emotional wounds, physical intimacy, and relationship dynamics intersect. Rebranding my practice around intimacy and sexual wellness was like a personal awakening, it reestablished my passion and aligned my work with what my clients needed most.

From this shift grew new offerings like the Building Bridges Couples Intensives and the Chapters of Love Book Club, but perhaps the most defining milestone was publishing my intimacy workbook earlier this year, Touch, Talk, Trust: Unlock the Insights to Transform Your Intimacy. This workbook brought together over two decades of clinical experience, the themes I saw repeated in my office, and the tools I had developed to help couples and individuals reconnect. It represents not just my professional journey, but my belief that intimacy is the heartbeat of thriving relationships.

Looking back, if I could give advice to young professionals starting out, I would say this: know your “why” and let it guide you. Build systems and support early so you do not burnout. And remember, passion evolves. What began for me as a general counseling practice in 2012 has transformed into a mission of helping people reclaim intimacy, trust, and connection. And that growth is what keeps me both grounded and inspired.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Karimah Cornelius-Stith, a wife, travel enthusiast, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Specialist in Anger Management, Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, author, and speaker with more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and couples heal, grow, and reconnect. My interest in the mental health field began early. With mental illness present on both sides of my family, I grew up keenly aware of the struggles people face and the impact it has on relationships. The summer before my senior year in high school, I volunteered in the local mental health department in the United States Virgin Islands, which gave me my first direct exposure to the field and confirmed that this was the path I wanted to pursue.

In 2012, I founded New Reflections Therapeutic Services with the vision of creating a safe and compassionate space where people could explore their inner worlds, strengthen relationships, and discover new ways of thriving. As my practice grew, I began to notice recurring themes: many of my clients were struggling with intimacy. Whether it was desire, communication, trust after betrayal, or silence around closeness, intimacy issues were often at the core of their challenges.

My perspective deepened when I volunteered with women who had survived sexual abuse. Their courage inspired me, and their pain revealed a gap in care: it was not enough to help them process trauma emotionally. I realized I needed to understand more about how trauma reshapes intimacy, safety, and connection. That realization galvanized my decision in 2019 to pursue certification in sex therapy, allowing me to specialize at the intersection of trauma, intimacy, and healing.

Today, my practice offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and clinical supervision. Beyond therapy, I have also created and facilitated the Building Bridges Couples Intensives, the Chapters of Love Book Club, and the the Kings’ Table Men’s Forum. I am also the author of the widely received intimacy workbook, Touch, Talk, Trust: Unlock the Insights to Transform Your Intimacy. Apart from her practice, I am also a sought-after guest speaker at retreats, summits, and conferences, where she shares her insights on intimacy, communication, and healing.

What sets me apart is my belief that anger, when understood and controlled, can actually strengthen relationships. Most people view anger only as destructive, but I see it as a powerful signal, pointing to unmet needs, boundaries, or deep hurts. When couples learn to harness anger rather than fear it, it can lead to more honest conversations, deeper empathy, and greater intimacy. My approach does not just help people manage conflict; it helps them use difficult emotions as a bridge toward trust, healing, and connection.

For those meeting me for the first time, I want them to know that New Reflections is more than a therapy practice, it is a hub for healing, intimacy, and growth. My mission is to help people build bridges where walls once stood, and to remind them that love, when nurtured with trust, communication, and connection, has the power to transform.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What has helped me build my reputation within my market is a combination of authenticity, specialization, and consistency. From the very beginning, I committed to showing up for clients not just as a therapist, but as a whole person who is compassionate, transparent, and genuinely invested in their healing. Clients can feel when you are present and when you truly care, and that trust has been the foundation of my reputation.

Specialization has also played a critical role. When I chose to focus on intimacy and sex therapy, I leaned into an area that many people are hesitant to talk about but desperately need help with. By creating safe spaces for vulnerable conversations, developing programs like the Building Bridges Couples Intensives, and writing my workbook Touch, Talk, Trust: Unlock the Insights to Transform Your Intimacy, I positioned myself as someone who not only talks about intimacy but provides practical tools for change.

Finally, consistency has been a cornerstone in earning the confidence of those who refer others to my practice. Whether I am providing one-on-one therapy, speaking at a marriage retreat, or facilitating a group program, I remain committed to delivering a consistent message of healing, connection, and hope.

Any advice for managing a team?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to lead with both clarity and care. People thrive when they understand the vision, feel supported in their roles, and know that their contributions are valued. I believe there is no need for micromanagement if you have trust. When leaders build trust and empower their teams, morale stays strong and people are motivated to bring their best.

At New Reflections Therapeutic Services, I make it a priority to recognize milestones and create moments of gratitude throughout the year. We provide birthday gifts, mark special occasions with recognition, and share spa days or holiday brunches as ways to recharge and connect outside of work. Each year, I also share an end-of-the-year appreciation gift as a way to honor my team’s dedication and commitment. These gestures remind my team that they are not only colleagues, they are part of a community.

Maintaining morale is about more than gifts or celebrations, though. It is about cultivating a culture of respect, open communication, and balance. I encourage my team to care for themselves as much as they care for clients, and I model that by setting boundaries, prioritizing wellness, and showing up authentically. When people feel seen, appreciated, and trusted, morale naturally stays high and that positive energy flows back into the work we do with our clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anewreflectionforyou.com
• Instagram: @anewreflectionforyou
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karimah.cornelius.stith
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/karimahreflects
• Other: https://a.co/d/80cnARW