We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kim Atkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kim, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?
Five Minutes of Peace
As a new social worker, I quickly learned that our work is not only about paperwork, resources, or treatment plans—it is often about relationships, unfinished conversations, and helping people find peace.
One patient changed me forever.
She had been admitted to hospice with brain cancer. During our counseling sessions, she shared pieces of her life with me. She spoke lovingly about her children and told me she had four daughters. As we continued talking, I learned there was another child she had not mentioned at first—a son.
Her son was in prison.
There was distance, pain, and years of separation between them.
I felt led to try to find him.
After making call after call to different correctional facilities, searching through what felt like a dozen prisons, I finally found him. I explained the situation and was eventually given permission by the warden to speak with him.
I told him about his mother.
He agreed to speak with her.
They talked. They apologized. They forgave each other.
Most importantly, they said the words that had been waiting to be spoken:
“I love you.”
At that point, she had already been on hospice for months. Medical reports had suggested that she did not have much time left, and many people had wondered why she had not yet passed.
Five minutes after speaking with her son, she peacefully passed away.
That experience taught me something I have never forgotten.
Sometimes they are waiting for closure.
As a new social worker, I thought I was there to provide services.
Instead, I learned that sometimes our greatest gift is helping people find peace before they say goodbye.
Kim, 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?
A Calling to Serve: My Passion for Counseling and Mental Health Services
Mental health is more than treatment—it is hope, connection, healing, and the opportunity for individuals and families to experience a better quality of life. My work in counseling is not simply a profession; it is my passion and purpose.
Mind Renewals Counseling Services opened in 2017. We provide mental health services to children, adults, and families, I have dedicated my career to creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, supported, and empowered.
In 2024, I co-founded Flowers Will Bloom Outreach with my childhood friend Lesly. We understand that Children often communicate emotions through behaviors, play, and relationships. Our goal is to help children develop emotional awareness, confidence, healthy coping skills, and resilience while partnering with caregivers to support growth beyond the counseling setting. We offer services that aid in learning such as literacy, self awareness and life skills.
My passion for counseling comes from a genuine desire to help others grow and heal. Every person’s story matters. Whether working with children learning emotional regulation, adults processing life transitions, or families rebuilding communication and trust, I approach each interaction with empathy and respect.
Counseling allows me to walk alongside people during some of their most difficult and transformative moments. I believe healing happens when individuals feel accepted, empowered, and supported without judgment.
Serving Children
Working with children is especially meaningful because early intervention can influence a lifetime.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
What Has Been Most Helpful in My Success in Business, Counseling, and Mental Health Services
Success in counseling and mental health has never been about numbers alone—it has been built through purpose, persistence, relationships, and service.
One of the greatest contributors to my success has been my genuine passion for helping people. My work has always gone beyond completing tasks or meeting expectations. I believe in showing up fully for children, adults, and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives and creating spaces where healing can begin.
Another important factor in my success has been perseverance. Growth did not happen overnight. There were seasons that required patience, continued learning, and trusting the process even when progress was not immediately visible. Remaining committed over time helped build experience, confidence, and credibility.
Connection and empathy have also been central to my work. Clients often remember how they felt more than what was said. Taking time to listen, understand, advocate, and meet people where they are has strengthened trust and produced meaningful outcomes.
My ability to see the whole person—not just the problem—has shaped my approach. Whether serving children, adults, or families, I understand that every person brings a unique story, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
Finally, purpose has sustained me. Mental health work requires heart, patience, and resilience. Remembering why I started and staying connected to my mission has helped me continue serving others with compassion and excellence.
My success has not come from doing everything perfectly. It has come from showing up consistently, caring deeply, and believing that every interaction has the potential to make a difference.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Lessons I Learned Through My Success in Business, Counseling, and Mental Health
One of the greatest lessons I learned throughout my journey is not to take things personally.
Working in counseling and mental health taught me that people often respond from places of pain, fear, trauma, stress, grief, or circumstances that may have nothing to do with me personally. Early in my career, I wanted to fix every problem, gain everyone’s approval, and carry outcomes as a reflection of my own value. Over time, I learned an important truth: I can care deeply without carrying everything.
Not taking things personally allowed me to:
* Show compassion without becoming emotionally overwhelmed.
* Set healthy professional boundaries.
* Remain present instead of becoming defensive.
* Continue serving people with empathy and respect.
* Focus on planting seeds of growth rather than controlling results.
This lesson also strengthened my business. Leadership requires resilience. Not every idea will be accepted, not every service will be understood, and not every client experience will go as planned. Success came from staying committed to my mission rather than seeking validation.
Today, I understand that caring for people does not mean carrying their emotions as my own. My responsibility is to show up with compassion, integrity, and professionalism—and trust that my work makes a difference, even when I cannot immediately see the outcome.
Learning not to take things personally gave me freedom to continue doing what I love: helping children, adults, and families heal, grow, and move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindrenewals.com
- Instagram: mindrenewals
- Facebook: mindrenewals counseling services
- Youtube: mindrenewals6569
Image Credits
The Proud Family