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

Keonna, 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.

Thank you for having me today. It is an honor to share my story with you and your readers.

When I graduated with my master’s degree in clinical psychology, I thought the world was at my fingertips. I thought I had finally achieved all that I needed to thrust myself into the next phase of my career. At least that’s what society tells us. However, life had other plans, and I found myself without a stable place to live. I was sleeping on friends’ couches and spending nights in my car. It was a challenging time, and I felt lost, confused, and alone.

During this time, I realized all I had was, what I call, my “Hat-trick”. My faith, family, and friendships were the only things that could help me turn things around. It was a defining moment in my professional career because I learned that success is not just about what you achieve, but also about the people who support you along the way.

I am grateful for the friends who opened their homes to me, my family that supported me without judgement, and my faith that kept me going. It taught me the importance of resilience, determination, and perseverance. Today, I am in a completely different place, but I will forever be grateful for those who helped me during my toughest moments.

Keonna, 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?

As a native of Northern California, I moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to pursue my calling as a therapist. I completed my studies with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy. My first role postmasters was working as a clinician with foster children within a residential setting. Not only did I grow as a therapist, I saw first hand how the system can be both a positive and challenging roadmap for families of color in this country.

Now, with over 12 years of collective experience as a psychotherapist, speaker, assistant professor, clinical trainer, and clinical mentor I found myself wanting more for my community. That’s when I developed the idea of creating a group practice centered around community psychology and the collectivistic aspects of healing. As the founder and co-owner of my private practice, P.E.A.C.E. Wellness Collective: Individual & Family Therapy Center, I currently work with individuals and couples of color navigating grief and traumatic loss, life transitions, and strengthening communication patterns. I support my clients using the African philosophy of Ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are”. As my clients progress through each session, they come to realize that their healing journey not only benefits themselves but also contributes to our community’s overall well-being. I conceptualize trauma from a place of seeking to understand what happened to a person, rather than what is wrong with them.

As a therapist working with my community, I am most proud of the progress my clients have made in their journey towards thriving instead of just surviving. It is a privilege to witness the transformation that takes place when individuals are empowered to take control of their mental health and wellbeing.

One of the most rewarding moments in my career was when a client who had been struggling with depression and grief for years was finally able to find joy in their life again. Through our sessions, we were able to identify the underlying issues and develop a plan to address them. It was a long road, but seeing the client’s progress and newfound happiness made it all worth it.

I am also proud of the work PWC has done to increase the emphasis on minority mental health awareness and reduce the stigma. By speaking at and participating in local community events and connecting with other mental health professionals, we have been able to help more people access the resources they need to thrive. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life, and I am honored to be able to play a role in making that a reality for my clients.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most important things that I had to let go of was the belief that I needed to do everything myself. As a solo practitioner, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we have to take on every task and responsibility. However, this mindset can lead to burnout and limit our ability to serve our clients to the best of our abilities. This was a key factor when I decided to start a group practice with my two trusted friends and colleagues.

Another thought pattern that I had to unlearn was the idea that success meant working long hours and sacrificing my personal life. While hard work and dedication are certainly important, I realized that I needed to prioritize self-care and balance in order to sustain my practice over the long term. This meant setting boundaries around my work schedule and taking time off to recharge my batteries. I’ll admit, I am definitely still working on this, but it’s gotten better over time. I had to learn how to honor my body by listening to the signals my body gives me that it’s time to take a break.

In terms of behavioral patterns, I had to learn to delegate tasks and outsource certain responsibilities to others. This required me to let go and trust in the abilities of my team members. For anyone reading this, remember that it helps when you have the right people on your team. It also meant being willing to invest in resources that would help me streamline my work processes and free up more time for client work and business development.

Overall, unlearning these thought and behavioral patterns was not always easy, but it was essential for the growth and success of my private practice. I continue to challenge myself to let go of limiting beliefs and behaviors in order to continue to evolve and improve as a practitioner.

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

Although I’m not a big fan of social media, I’ve been able to build my reputation through old school marketing techniques such as face-to-face connections and relationship building. For new entrepreneurs, do not be afraid to go back to basics.

One of the things that has helped me the most is attending conferences and networking events. These events allow me to meet other professionals in the field and build relationships with them. By taking the time to get to know people and build trust, I’ve been able to establish myself as a knowledgeable and reliable community resource in the field of grief and traumatic loss.

Another thing that has helped me is teaching at the masters level and presenting at conferences. By sharing my knowledge and expertise, I’ve been able to establish myself as a thought leader in the field. This has led to invitations to speak at other events and has helped me build my reputation even further. My advice here would be to diversify yourself within your field. Find new ways to use your skills in nontraditional settings. Now I know some might be thinking, “I hate public speaking” and that’s okay. Just find your own alternative ways to grow as business owner and leader.

Finally, I’ve also focused on providing high-quality services to my clients. By consistently delivering results and providing excellent customer service, I’ve been able to make a solid imprint in the field. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients have been a powerful tool for me in building my practice.

Overall, while social media can be a powerful tool for building a professional reputation, I’ve found that old school marketing techniques such as face-to-face connections and relationship building have been the most effective for me. By focusing on providing high-quality services and building strong relationships with other professionals in the field, I’ve been able to establish myself as a respected and trusted expert in the field of grief and trauma.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pwcla.com
• Instagram: pwclosangeles
• Facebook: PEACE Wellness Collective

Image Credits
Chris Greenwell