We were lucky to catch up with Kim Egel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kim, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Back in 2008 when I was working as a therapist in more clinical type settings, I felt really restricted. Being super clinical never felt organic to me in terms of how I wanted to show up as a therapist. Creating an approachable environment for my clients that was comfortable, client focused, free of massive amounts of paper work and fluorescent office lightning, was always my aim. It was tricky to provide that during my earlier days due to so many factors; the world of coaching didn’t really exist when I started working in the mental health field and the job as a therapist was just more rigidly clinical. I felt trapped in that.
It took several years to undue certain things that I was told I “should” and “ought” to do as a professional. Obviously, I value professional standards, therefore I was determined to keep those standards and also stay true to myself by bringing my essence as a therapist to my clients in my own way.
I suppose, my practice really began to flow and turn into more of my vision when I fully invested in trusting my gut and taking action based on what I was inspired to do for my business rather than listening to outside influence based on how a traditional licensed therapist was “supposed” to show up.
With all that said, my biggest piece of advice for anyone creating their own path and starting their own business is to stay true to your unique vision. There’s always going to be outside influence directing you a different way in life. It takes a lot of inner grounding to avoid getting swept up in all the doubt and fear that comes with embarking on your own path. Bottom line: stay true to you. It will pay off if you can hang in there, dig deep and stay rooted in what you believe in.
Kim, 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?
Hello there. I’ve been a licensed Marriage Family Therapist for 15 years and my private practice is based around the principles of somatic healing, authentic truth and overall wellness. I’ve been wired from the get go with the desire to really “know” someone. Meaning know somebody beyond the surface and beyond who they are labeled to be from the outside. I’ve always deeply valued knowing the deeper pieces of the people who I was around & surrounded myself with.
I have a background as a semi professional track and field athlete, which really helped me, early on, tap into the concepts of the mind, body and spirit connection. I saw for myself how powerful our mental minds and physical bodies are aligned and bring that concept to my client sessions through offering beach walk & talk sessions. I believe that difficult emotions can be even further released and processed via our physical bodies; movement, breath work and energy work. I continue to train and explore many different physical activities that keep my own mind/body connection strong.
Travel has also been a huge teacher for me in terms of relating and connecting to in from all walks of life. Travel has humbly allowed me to witness the different ways that I could live. It’s heightened my ability to self explore what happiness and success really means to me.
Destinations where there’s good free diving, surf, sailing and a friendly and interesting community of locals is my kind of destination. I love the “off the beaten path” places in this world.
In addition to my therapy services, I started a jewelry line in 2011, Kim Egel Jewelry, where the energies of natural stones and meaningful symbols of pieces help the wearer hold and manifest their intentions. The creative outlets of jewelry design, photography and music have all played a large part in my self exploration. I encourage all my clients to find their inner creative source. (Yes, we all have that “part of us,” it just appears differently within each of us.)
I feel like all these different aspects of me; My love for physical challenge, my want for deep connection, my creative endeavors and need for travel strengthen how I show up professionally. These different facets of me help grow my intuitive approach to therapy which, I believe benefits, not only me, but the clients who come my way for their own personal growth & healing.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I love this question because, personally, beyond speaking about my business, answering this question reveals my general approach to life; BE YOURSELF. That’s it, nothing fancy.
With that said, I can see how it can get so complicated with so many external voices, paths of how you “should” do things and the self pressure and comparison that comes up in life. It can be really hard to ward off the pressure and all the external noise at times in life. When those things have come into my path to tug me away from what feels true and right for me, I suppose I’ve always prioritized staying true to myself. I’ve spent time acquainting myself with what the feeling of “going in the (my) wrong direction” feels like. Call it a gut feeling or instinct; I’ve grown to know it and do my best to listen so I stay on track with what’s “right” for me & my business.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
If I just freestyle and list some titles off that have left a personal impact, here’s what comes to mind:
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (easy read.) I’m loving all the books by author Yung Pueblo (Clarity & Connection, Lighter, Inward.) I love his writing style and depthful messages.
I value books, videos and documentaries so much as I believe that they act as great additional tools to enhance the self growth process. I have a section of my website listing the resources that I recommend to my clients.
Feel free to give that a look here: https://www.kimegel.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimegel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkimegel/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-egel-9876a18/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCejitiA7WKbfyEY1Ja0OB3g
- Other: Jewelry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimegeljewelry/?hl=en Jewelry online shop: https://www.kimegel.com/kimegeljewelry
Image Credits
Ashley Williams photographer Renata Amazonas photographer Allie Reilly photographer (under water images) Me (Kim Egel Jewelry photos)