We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly Lee-Okonya recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I have taken many risks in my life. I have always been of the mind that we have one life to live so do what it is you want, even if you have to do it afraid! But if I had to discuss just one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken it would be when I decided to leave corporate America and move full time into entrepreneurship. When this move happened, to be honest it was not 100% planned. Long story short there was an imbalance in life. My son was a toddler and was having some health issues at the time, me and my supervisor were not seeing eye to eye regarding our program and services offered and I wanted to do deeper work with my patients/ clients at the time that my position didn’t allow for. But the icing on the cake was although I consistently advocated for myself for a change in hours (literally to come in 30 minutes later and take a 30 minute lunch instead of an hour) I was continuously denied. After several failed attempts I sat down with myself and assessed my thoughts. These thoughts included assessing my self worth, my skillset, my beliefs in the treatment my clients should’ve been receiving, the health of my baby and the state of my family due to my stress level and overworking and my belief in my self…after that process I knew I had to leave the corporate arena if I wanted to truly live authentically and not continue to exist and remain in a perpetual state of stress. So I did…and almost 7 years later I have never looked back! Although it has come with it’s own set of challenges…taking this risk has been one of the top 3 best and most rewarding risk taken to date! Remember your mental health and peace is priceless; make the changes you are in control of to nurture these areas of self…you are WORTH THE RISK!

Kimberly, 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?

I am the owner of and Clinical Director at Life Begins Here Therapeutic & Counseling Services group practice located in Atlanta, GA. I am also the founder of The Melanated Mommy Tribe, an organization created to address and provide resources for Black women’s maternal mental health due to adverse outcomes that exist for Black birthing and postpartum individuals. I also own Dr. Kim LO, LLC where I offer coaching, programming and various consultation services.

I have more than a decade of experience in the fields of social work, psychology and mental health. In terms of certifications I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician (PMH-C). I have my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Development from
Georgia Southern University, a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from the University of Georgia
and my Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa).

I am trained in Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy, Perinatal Mood and
Anxiety Disorders and is a Level 3 Gottman trained couples’ therapist and a DONA trained birth doula. Additionally, I am a trained Gottman’s Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work leader and a Bringing Baby Home facilitator. I am also an adjunct social work professor, and I enjoy consulting and mentoring future social workers and mental health clinicians who have a desire to serve marginalized communities especially BIPOC couples and mothers. In the past I have worked primarily with individuals and couples and am expanding into doing more collective healing experiences which include workshops, retreats (domestic and international) and corporate trainings, etc. I also enjoy working with corporations and businesses to assist them with centering and addressing the mental health needs of their employee/ client business practices which in turn leads to better outcomes for all.

My mission includes normalizing mental health and holistic wellness especially within BIPOC communities. My specialities and area of expertise is in intersectionality, life transitions, maternal mental health, anxiety, depression and couples. I also enjoy working with professional athletes and assisting them with setting healthy boundaries and being their most authentic selves even while living in the limelight.

I have a vision to break the stigma surrounding mental health by normalizing it through having conversations regarding mental health and educating communities and corporations on the impact and importance of be intentional in taking care of our mental health and wellness as mental health is an integral part of our well-being.

During my spare time I enjoy spending time on new adventures with my husband and our two children, traveling, attending sporting events, painting/ coloring, trying a new recipe, beading jewelry, listening to music, visiting the beach, spending time in nature, working out and being with family and friends.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

In the fields of mental health, social work and psychology in order to succeed you have to be sure to do your own inner work and be willing to practice from a place of compassion at all times when it comes to the individuals and communities we serve. Burn out is one thing and most of us in these fields of work will experience that at some point however if you find you are not passionate about the work you’re doing it’s time to find another path in my opinion. Always remember your why. I believe that is one of the most helpful words of advice I can give regarding succeeding in this field and in these areas of practice.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The advice I have when it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale is always remember each member of your team has a life outside of your business. Which means to always lead with compassion and understanding while also creating a culture of integrity and centering self care. When you encourage your team to take care of themselves first, their work, the team and the business as a whole are impacted positively. Also offering team bonding events and activities (i.e. team dinners, a fun activity- nature walk, etc.).

I believe these things support people doing their best work and this also helps to keep turnover low and breeds a culture of appreciation and gratitude by all parties.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DrKimLO.com
• Instagram: @lifebeginsheretcs
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/lifebeginsheretcs
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimlo-lifebeginshere
• Twitter: @lifebeginsHTCS
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj678nthl68OJndLyaqPamQ
• Other: www.linktree.com/DrKimLO www.themelanatedmommytribe.com www.lifebeginsheretcs.com

Image Credits
Howell Designs, The Studio by HDS