We recently connected with Lacita Moody and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lacita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

For a long time at my last job, I sensed something wasn’t quite right. I was told many things, but there was no evidence that these promises were being kept. Despite this, I chose to believe in what I was told.

Let me provide some background. During the pandemic, I became the only therapist in a counseling department that was initially meant for a team. One by one, my colleagues left for better opportunities, leaving me as the sole support for the counseling department at a popular local non-profit. The workload was tough, and I received no assistance. The stress became so overwhelming that I ended up in the hospital twice, thinking I was seriously ill. It turned out I had developed anxiety and started experiencing panic attacks. The irony was hard to ignore—I, a therapist helping others deal with anxiety and depression, was struggling with the same issues.

Realizing I deserved better pay, I tried to speak up for myself to get a raise and a promotion. I was promised both for over two years, but nothing happened. Instead, when they hired a new therapist after those two years, my pay was cut, and I was let go immediately. I’ll share more details about this later.

The main lesson here is not to be afraid of your own potential. Know when it’s time to move on. Sometimes, the only thing holding you back is the fear of what might happen if you leave. Now, I encourage others to understand their worth, especially if they feel mistreated and manipulated at work.

Always know your value and take action, even if it means walking away.

Lacita, 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?

My venture into the industry wasn’t a straightforward one. Throughout college, I navigated through different majors, initially setting my sights on business. The dream of owning my own business fueled my decision to pursue a business degree. However, as I delved into the coursework, I swiftly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me.

The turning point came when I acknowledged that nothing brought me more satisfaction than helping others and giving back. This realization prompted a shift in my major to psychology—a decision that resonated far more with my passion for making a positive impact.

Upon earning my Bachelor’s in psychology, I faced a crucial decision: whether to pursue a degree in social work or counseling. After careful consideration, I chose the path of a counselor, and since then, I haven’t looked back.

The Services I Offer: In my counseling practice, I specialize in depression, anxiety, trauma, and general life transitions therapy. My services extend to men, women, and teens, with a special emphasis on empowering those I serve. I am dedicated to creating a safe space for my clients to process their afflictions, with the aim of making therapy feel like home. I encourage individuals to show up authentically, free from societal expectations, and assure them that finding resilience is always within reach.

The Problems I Solve for My Clients: I work diligently to establish a safe and nurturing environment where clients can process their challenges. My goal is to make therapy with me feel like a welcoming and familiar space, free from societal pressures. Clients working with me can expect a journey toward resilience, knowing that it’s never too late to embark on that path.

What Sets Me Apart from Others in the Field: I am me—plain and simple. I don’t adhere rigidly to a counseling manual. As a human being, I bring both professionalism and authenticity to my practice, drawing from my own lived experiences. I embrace my humanity, showcasing the real person behind the professional role.

What I Am Most Proud Of: My proudest achievement is my resilience. The counseling profession is demanding, with numerous challenges along the way. Despite the bumps, I have persevered and surprised myself with my own tenacity. Success hasn’t changed me, even in the face of adversity.

The Main Things I Want My Clients to Know About Me: I invest significant effort in curating a tailored approach for each client. Beyond our sessions, I dedicate time to staying informed about the latest treatments and modalities. My commitment extends to working outside the session, ensuring the best possible approaches for their well-being.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Let me share a story that speaks to resilience—one where I had to pick myself up after being unfairly fired from a job I poured my heart into for four years. It wasn’t just losing my job; it was losing my dignity too.

I was accused of things I would never do, and my character was attacked in an instant. This left me feeling lost, hurt, and deep in a year-long depression. The situation got so tough that I couldn’t even get my last paycheck without the support of those close to me, preventing potential homelessness.

On top of it all, I faced public ridicule from those who played a part in firing me. Resilience, for me, meant standing up to these challenges and slowly rebuilding. One day, I realized I had to start over, brick by brick, to prevent that situation from breaking me.

As I began this journey, new opportunities unexpectedly appeared. Despite their efforts to bring me down, the people who knew me saw through the false accusations. Their understanding drowned out the negativity, proving that adversity doesn’t define us.

This story is a reminder that, no matter how hard things get, the ultimate power over your life lies with you. I refused to let anyone else dictate my story, and you shouldn’t either.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My market reputation rests on a few key principles that I hold dear:

One cornerstone has been showing up consistently. Whether it’s expected or not, I believe in being there, putting in the effort, and making my presence known. Another factor is doing the work, even when it’s not explicitly required of me. Going that extra mile has been integral to shaping my reputation. I’ve actively pursued connections within my field through networking. Always on the lookout for opportunities to engage with others, I find that building relationships is key to expanding my reach. A crucial element involves my willingness to assist those following in my footsteps. Learning the ropes the hard way, I’m committed to ensuring others don’t face unnecessary challenges. If I can make the journey smoother for someone else, I’m all in. Throughout it all, I strive to stay true to my ‘why.’ This unwavering commitment serves as a compass, keeping my values intact as I navigate the twists and turns of my professional journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fepcounseling.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lacita-Moody-Lpc/100088560092121/?paipv=0&eav=AfYo43-hHI38AQHeIPYbpNb674vJWQG6WInshYTuycmVo66ZjGewSwrbkiWWDJ1MP-4&_rdr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacita-moody-m-ed-ncc-lpc-7633a980/

Image Credits
Lacita Moody