We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly Powers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, 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.
In 2021 and 2022, I began EMDR therapy to work through the trauma of living with bipolar disorder, type one, with psychotic features. Although my illness has been in remission since 2010, the traumatic memories of the episodes I had been through still held me back from releasing the shame and stigma of the illness. I was first diagnosed at age 16 as a sophomore in high school. Now, more than 20 years later, something clicked, and I found the freedom I yearned for in my healing. Through the work with my therapist, I was finally able to break free from the shame and stigma of the illness and find the courage to share my story of learning to manage my illness and live with more confidence, no longer being defined by having bipolar disorder and the weight of my trauma. I found freedom from the shame of my illness.
Kimberly, 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?
I am a fully Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. I have the privilege of owning a private practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I offer mental health counseling to adults and couples. I also have my certification in drug and alcohol counseling. I supervise limited license counselors working toward their full licensure as well. Counseling is not only my career, it is my passion and my calling. I have been counseling for 11 years, and am living my dream. I specialize in Christian counseling with clients who would like to incorporate their faith into their counseling experience. I studied psychology in undergrad at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and earned my masters in clinical mental health counseling from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. I decided to pursue the field of counseling to empower others to learn to manage the symptoms of their mental health, just as I was helped by mental health professionals myself. I find great joy in seeing others find victory and overcome strongholds!
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If I could go back and choose this profession all over again, I would in a heartbeat. Have you ever felt that you were designed for a specific purpose? That is how I feel deep in my soul. I believe God created me with a plan to help others. In the second grade on a written assignment in school, my teacher asked us students what we wanted to do when we grew up. I wrote on my paper “To help others.” That is exactly what I am doing now in my full-time job. To counsel others. Counseling embodies my goal to inspire, support, encourage, empower, and exhort others to grow and flourish. I could not imagine having a different job. Being a therapist is one of the most rewarding pursuits in my life.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than the specialized training I received in higher education and ongoing continuing education, the most helpful aspect for succeeding in this field are some of the strengths I have developed over time. Some of these strengths include a gift of empathy: being able to put myself in my client’s shoes. My genuine desire to show compassion, warmth, and positive regard creates a safe space for clients to share their most vulnerable thoughts, feelings, and concerns in session, and transfer those skills of healthy communication into their relationships. While modeling unconditional positive regard and genuine acceptance, I hope to instill confidence and positive self-esteem in each person I meet with. If you have never participated in the work of therapy, I encourage you to reach out to a professional counselor today! Life is meant to be experienced and lived to the fullest. Are you living the life you want to live? Is there anything holding you back from pursuing your goals? Now is the best time to reach out for help.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.HeartSoulMindStrengthLLC.com
- Instagram: heart_soul_mind_strength_llc
- Facebook: Kim Powers at Heart Soul Mind Strength LLC
- Twitter: KMukaPowers
- Other: Kimberly_Muka_Powers_Author www.KimberlyMukaPowers.com
Image Credits
Photo Credits Josh Rexford