Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kindall Tyson, M.Ed., LPC-S, NCC. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kindall , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Expats that move to China call their arrival date their “Chinaversary.” Mine is August 7th, the day I arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport from Houston, TX to begin a new job as a professional school counselor at an international school in Beijing, China. Moving abroad, solo, was one of the biggest risks I have ever taken. Doing so also served as the catalyst to some of the most impactful growth of my life as well.
I have always desired to live abroad, and while I was working as a professional school counselor and completing hours to become an LPC in Texas, some friends of mine that lived and worked in Beijing reached out to me about a job opening. I was unable to leave at that time, but they reached out to me again the following year, and I had earned my LPC credential, and I was in a place professionally where I needed to work in a more fulfilling, more psychologically safe, and more aligned school/ organization. I shared my CV, interviewed twice, and received the new job offer via email on my mother’s birthday. Little did I know that this decision would change the trajectory of my life, forever.
Having never lived abroad and never traveling abroad by myself, I did not know what to expect. Would I be able to cope with such a drastic change and adjustment? Would I enjoy my new school and colleagues? Would I feel welcomed? Would I make a difference in the lives of students and families? Would I find a supportive community of friends? The resounding answer has been YES, and…
Since moving to Beijing, I have expanded my personal and professional network and community of support. I have evolved professionally as a mental health clinician. I have moved jobs and now currently lead a high school counseling team. I have grown my therapy practice to include more consulting and course creation. I have traveled to places in the world once unknown to me. I have started a new podcast, The Black Expat Experience, connecting with Black expats worldwide, listening to stories about their personal journey to expat-immigrant life, unpacking the importance of mental health, and extolling the need for healthy community connection.
This risk…this leap of faith…this ultimate bet on myself has paid off exponentially. I am more self-aware and more self-compassionate. I have improved mental health, am more creative, am more confident, and feel a greater sense of liberation. This risk was worth it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Kindall C. Tyson. I am a native Texan; the eldest daughter of Phillip and Chris; the sister to Cleo; the TT to Naomi, Imani, and Triniti. I am a licensed psychotherapist, a clinical supervisor, an entrepreneur, a podcast creator, an author, a travel junkie, a Black expat. I live my life at the intersections of being a Black woman, passionately advocating for mental health, and being an avid learner and educator. These along with other aspects of my identity guide my advocacy work and professional pursuits. For years, I have dreamed of living abroad, and for the past 6 years, I have lived and worked in Beijing, China.
Currently, I am the lead high school counselor at a top international school in Beijing, and I operate my therapy and consulting practice, Aspire Counseling & Wellness Center, internationally. I offer culturally competent, client-centered, empathetic mental health support to a wide-range of people around the world in need, ready to live their best, holistic lives. Additionally, I create mental health-related merchandise and goods, such as affirmation cards, journals, clothing, and a YouTube channel focused on mental health and literacy. Knowledge is power, and sharing knowledge helps to untether people from stigma and external expectations.
In Beijing, I support a culturally diverse cohort of students, families, and community members. I originally began my career in business, graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Spanish. Sometimes, I feel like my journey has been about evolving and transitioning through tragedy. Over the years, I changed careers, became an English teacher, a professional school counselor, and then a licensed professional counselor. The through lines for any work I have engaged in were being of service to others, helping people see themselves, providing support in people’s times of need, and trailblazing new pathways for success.
As a consultant, I offer a variety of services and support. I train schools, counselors, and licensed clinicians on enhancing their cultural humility and being more culturally responsive. I help schools create more engaging and relevant SEL lessons; I offer parent coaching, training, and support, and I offer supervision, therapy, and consultation to schools and professionals in need.
While living abroad, traveling internationally, and connecting with diverse groups of people along the way, I noticed that there were communities of Black expat-immigrants all over the world, and I wanted to create a platform I and others around the world could revel in their stories, listen to them unpack their understanding of mental health as an individual and cultural imperative, and learn more about the importance of community and connection as a fortifying element of their lives. I wanted to create a vehicle for storytelling and first-hand sharing, so I founded the podcast and live show, The Black Expat Experience. I am in the 5th season of the show, and I’ve been able to commune with some amazing people along the way. My show’s mission is to provide a safe space for Black people of the diaspora to share their stories with the world and demonstrate to the global community that we thrive, support one another, and live abundantly everywhere the light may touch. The podcast is heavily focused on breaking the stigma of seeking mental health support in our communities while normalizing the honest conversations about our cultural connection to mental health support and collective healing.
In order for someone to live their most authentic life, I believe it is vital for them to feel connected to and a part of a supportive, safe, non-judgmental community. Sometimes people need support in creating that for themselves, and community can be found in many places. As the world started recovering from the collective trauma of COVID, I noticed the opportunity to create safe, supportive virtual spaces, and through this revelation, I started offering Sister Circles in Beijing for BIPOC women in need of healthy connection, a listening ear, shared experiences, and the healing power of laughter. I also started books clubs and started building intersectional communities through monthly jump rope challenges. Being trauma-informed is vital to doing good work. Trauma is healed through connection, and being a conduit of change and a healing professional requires me to wade in the healing properties of vulnerability, join in with others in their times of need, and help others see the beauty in transition and change.
I am passionate about being a conduit for community connection, healing, and personal evolution. As a clinician, I find hope in the daily interactions with others, and I recognize the confidence building of creation. I am proud of taking such a big risk, for betting on myself, and for choosing the path less traveled, yet more rewarding.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I would say that a lesson I am still unlearning is that perfection is the enemy of progress. In my field, not only do we help people thorough some of their most taxing challenges, I’ve also learned that focusing on ones humanity and acceptance of imperfection is imperative for sustained transformation. As a business owner, I realize that trudging toward perfection and away from mistakes impedes growth and stalls the process of self-awareness. I continue to learn that embracing challenges, with self-compassion and mindfully, is the pathway to success.
Managing my own perfectionism has been a decades-long personal mission. Since hindsight is 20/20, I recognize that growing up in Huntsville, TX as a high-achieving, assertive, young Black woman with lofty goals and ambitions probably precipitated some of the perfectionism that I have experienced most of my life.
Subsequent life experiences reinforced my need to always be on and minimize my mistakes. However, over time and with the help of a great therapist, I learned and continue to learn the importance of letting go, being mindful of my feelings and thoughts, taking things one day at a time, setting boundaries, taking care of my basic needs, practicing self-compassion, setting daily goals, loving myself through the highs and lows, and seeking support along the way are all key aspects to sustained success and self-actualization.
I endeavor to help others realize the same for themselves, or at least become more aware and accepting of what they need to evolve.
I harken to the words of a great business coach, “Done is better than perfect.” Unlearning perfectionism has been a process. Relearning self-kindness, rational thinking, taking things one step at a time, and accepting each stage I find myself in has been a replicable formula for success. I remind myself of this daily, “Embracing your whole self is the key to overcoming perfectionism.”
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Honesty, collaboration, good marketing, operating ethically, and being consistent, in my opinion, have been effective strategies to grow my clientele. Understanding your niche, collaborating with others, and providing quality service have been some of the building blocks to my success. Offering culturally competent , relevant, and applicable support will help you connect to those who need your services and support. Being in alignment is the key.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aspirecounselingwell.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/aspire_counselingwell and www.instagram.com/blackexpatexperience
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AspireCWC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kindall-c-tyson/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/aspire_counselingwell