Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kiara Luna. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kiara, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.
This question is truly fantastic! During my undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice, I made the decision to apply for an internship at the Lincoln Correctional Facility. See, since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to help and advocate for others, I just did not know how I was going to do it but early on in childhood, I decided I was going to do that by becoming a criminal defense lawyer so doing my internship at the Lincoln Correctional Facility was a no brainer for me at the time as I felt it was going to help me solidify what path I wanted to take.
It was during my experience with Lincoln Correctional Facility that I learned how to lead groups, conduct one-on-one sessions, and handle intake procedures. Working with individuals in a more emotionally charged capacity was a new realization for me. At that point in my life, I was uncertain about which career path to pursue, as many things were changing on a personal level. However, I consistently felt a deep connection and a sense of fulfillment whenever clients expressed their gratitude for my attentive listening or for offering a different perspective on their situations, providing them with some relief.
My supervisor during the internship was truly exceptional! She was an amazing boss and leader, and I learned a great deal from her. I mentioned to her that I wanted to find a job involving helping others and advocacy. At that very moment, she shared information about a substance abuse program that was seeking a Patient Advocate, encouraging me to apply for the position. I followed her advice and went through the interview process. Although I wasn’t initially selected, I remained persistent and eventually secured the job. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity, as it allowed me to gain a profound understanding of my desire to serve others in an emotionally impactful capacity.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Kiara Luna, a bilingual licensed mental health therapist, transformational speaker and best selling author. I entered this industry with a passion for helping others and have amassed over a decade of experience in helping individuals, couples, and families build healthier relationships not only with others but also with themselves.
My personal expertise extends to a range of services, including therapy sessions and public speaking engagements. I help my clients go from stuck to clarity, from hyper-criticalness to self-love and compassion. I help my clients identify traumatic experiences that may have shaped the way they perceive the world, themselves and others. This provides my clients with an increased self-awareness, self-empathy, compassion and love! As they are learning about themselves, they are also learning to accept parts of themselves they could not see before and learn new parts of themselves they never even explored or considered having. I also help couples develop more emotional safety in their relationship which helps them enhance their friendship, love and admiration for each other as well as their emotional and physical intimacy.
At Knew You Psychotherapy, we provide a wide range of mental health services. Our team of therapists and clinicians offer individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and will start begin offering psycho-educational workshops. We utilize evidence-based therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Imago and Mindfulness-based techniques. We aim to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their emotional challenges, develop effective coping strategies, and foster personal growth.
As a result of my group private practice approach, our clients gain greater clarity, healthier relationships and have been able to overcome limiting beliefs which has led them to experience success in many different areas of their lives. We are always honored when individuals and couples choose Knew You Psychotherapy as their emotional home to take on their healing journey.
We strive to help our clients overcome various mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. Our client-centered approach allows us to tailor treatment plans to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. We focus on building genuine connections and providing evidence-based interventions to empower our clients and facilitate positive change. Our commitment to creating an inclusive and compassionate environment sets us apart, as does our dedication to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest research and therapeutic techniques.
What sets me apart as an individual from others is my ability to create a transformative experience for clients and my therapists. I’m deeply committed to helping individuals achieve personal growth, and I firmly believe in the power of storytelling and knowledge to facilitate that journey. I’m honored to have worked with countless individuals who have found their voices and exceeded their own expectations through the work we do together.
There are a few things I take pride on. First, I am most proud of the positive impact our team at Knew You Psychotherapy has had on the lives of our clients. Witnessing individuals regain control of their lives, overcome challenges, and experience personal growth is incredibly rewarding. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that we are deeply committed to their well-being and offer a safe, non-judgmental space for their healing journey. Our team is passionate about destigmatizing mental health and fostering an environment of understanding and support. We believe in the power of collaboration and work collaboratively with our clients to develop personalized treatment plans.
I also take pride in my clients’ and couples’ outcomes. Witnessing my clients put in the work and transform to better versions of themselves is priceless. And one of my favorite parts to witness is that as they grow and get to know themselves at a deeper level and the more confident they become, the more money they earn. So they are really growing and succeeding in all areas.
Finally, I also take pride in being featured in reputable publications like Fatherly, Psych Central, Bustle, and WeddingWire, which speaks to the value I bring to my clients. My unique approach combines my therapeutic skills with powerful storytelling to connect with audiences on a profound level. By inspiring and empowering them, I help individuals discover their inner voices and unlock their untapped potential.
Join us in your transformative journey to together unlock your true potential.
Any advice for managing a team?
This is such a great question! There are few things I implement to ensure I create and maintain a cohesive team in order to maintain a high morale. Here are some pieces of advice for achieving that:
Have an open line of communication with your team – It is important to create a safe space where your team feels valued, heard and understood, It is also important to address issues as they arise. A lot of leaders avoid addressing challenges which can end up badly for the business, the employee and even the people you serve.
Set clear boundaries and expectations- It is vital to clearly communicate goals, objectives, and expectations. I ensure that my team understand their roles and responsibilities, as well as the larger purpose and vision of the practice. Clear expectations help team members feel focused and motivated, knowing their contributions are aligned with the practice objectives.
Know what each individual goal is- I really make it my business to understand what everyone who is part of my practice goals are. For example, what are their finance goals, what areas are the looking to grow on, what are their own goals in the practice, what are their long/short term goals, priorities, etc. This not only makes your employees feel seen but also cared about.
Show appreciation – I am huge on showing my team how much they bring to the table and how great they are! This can be done through verbal praise, written acknowledgments, or small rewards. Feeling valued and appreciated definitely boosts morale and motivates team members to continue performing at their best.
Promote self-care and work-life balance – I ensure to foster a positive work environment that always promotes work-life balance, well-being, and a healthy team culture. It is very important to encourage self-care practices, provide flexibility when possible, and promote a healthy work-life balance. I am also big on having social interactions and team-building activities to strengthen relationships and create a sense of community within the team.
These are just a few ways I ensure to maintain a cohesive team. An effective leader just does not manage but also connects with their team emotionally. An effective leader leads by example and demonstrates the values and qualities they expect from their team members. I am big on showing empathy, respect, and integrity in our interactions. I am transparent and accountable for my actions which also motivates my team to be transparent and accountable as they know they will be met with care and empathy.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I was 18 years old and still in college, I found out that I was going to be a mother. The expectations around me were low, with many people assuming that I would drop out of school. You see, I had no examples of any young mothers around me being able to be a mom and also prioritize their eduction. Even though, I was hurt by everyone’s assumptions, I also understood. We have the tendency of projecting on to other our own fears so I understood that my family fears were being projected on to me and I just refused to let their own limiting thoughts about me defined my experience. Has there been a time where everyone around you just had a different opinion about you but you refused to let it in? I was really determined to prove them wrong and show my resilience. Honestly, beyond proving them wrong, I wanted to prove myself right in that I could do whatever I set my mind to do.
Throughout my pregnancy, I faced numerous challenges and uncertainties. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was uncertain of so many things except my excitement and happiness for my baby boy. At the same time, I never lost sight of my education and the future I envisioned for myself and now my child. I kept on envisioning myself successful and understanding that now being pregnant was just part of my story. I also leaned on the support of my family and received immense encouragement from my husband, which fueled my determination even more.
As my due date approached, I knew I had to make a plan. I meticulously organized my schedule, figuring out how to balance motherhood and my studies. With the unwavering support of my loved ones, I arranged childcare, adapted my study routines, started working in the mental health field and sought out resources to help me navigate this new chapter of my life.
The day my baby arrived, I became a proud mother. Despite the sleepless nights and the demands of caring for a newborn, I refused to let go of my dreams. I persisted, sacrificing personal time and pouring countless hours into my studies while nurturing my child.
There were moments when self-doubt crept in and when the challenges felt very intense. But I never let them define me. Instead, I sought guidance from professors, friends, and mentors who provided support and encouragement.
And finally, the day came when I walked across the stage, wearing my graduation gown with pride, to receive my bachelor’s degree. It was a moment of triumph and a testament to my unwavering resilience. I had proven to myself and the world that I was capable of overcoming adversity and achieving my goals, even in the face of significant challenges.
My journey as a teen mom and a college graduate serves as a reminder that resilience knows no bounds. It shows that with determination, a strong support system, and unwavering belief in oneself, anything is possible. See, life has an amazing way of always working itself out. I have learned that challenges will always be there and what really makes a difference is our ability to cope and navigate through them. I hope my story inspires others to persevere and never give up on their dreams, no matter the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: knewyoupsychotherapy.com
- Instagram: mrskiaraluna
- Linkedin: Kiara Luna
Image Credits
Photo Credits to Cheril Sanchez her IG is cheril_sanchez