Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LATISHA WOODS. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
LATISHA, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.
My life is one big ball of risks. I’m the same person who applied to only one college and had never stepped foot on the campus. Risk-taking is what I do!!! But my biggest risk would have to be starting my practice. In 2016, I was nearing the necessary supervision hours to attain my full counseling license. With that license, I would finally be allowed to open a private practice (you must have a full license to open a private practice in Georgia). A co-worker and I had decided we had enough of all the stress of working for counseling agencies and decided to branch out and start our own group practice. When it was time to look for office space, my supposed business partner was a no-show and had silently decided not to join me in the endeavor. At that point, I decided to start my practice, whether I had a partner or not. So, I signed a lease with barely any money and only one month’s worth of savings. As I struggled to make ends meet, people thought I was crazy because I wouldn’t get a better-paying job at an agency since I was finally licensed. But I knew I would never make the money I deserved if I worked for someone else in this field. It took me three years to make a profit. Now, I make the most I’ve ever made. I guess I can say it was well worth the risk.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Well, my name is Latisha Woods, but everyone knows me as Tish. I claim both Fort Myers, Florida, and Waukegan, Illinois, as places I grew up. I graduated from the GREAT Bethune Cookman University with my BS in Psychology in 2011. I received my Master’s in Community Counseling in 2013 and a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2014, both from Argosy University. I returned to Argosy in 2017 to begin my doctoral program. Unfortunately, the school closed unexpectedly in 2019, landing me at Walden University, where I am currently finishing my dissertation and am slated to graduate in July of next year. I currently run my practice, Inspire Coaching and Counseling Services, LLC, full-time. I specialize in couples counseling and individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, familial discord, negative thinking, or making major life decisions. I never planned on being a therapist. I always wanted to be a writer. But after taking an Intro to Psychology class my junior year of high school, I found myself changing paths. The mental health field is so intriguing. I have grown so much within myself by being in this profession. I love that this field doesn’t just take but also gives back to you. Those moments with clients not only grow them but me as well.
While I love those one-on-one sessions with clients, I also love speaking engagements. Whether it’s a conference, retreat, or workshop, I love having those more hands-on experiences with a more significant amount of people.
In 2021, I launched a wellness brand, Lumiere, which means “light” in French. I sell clothing, mugs, throw pillows, and canvas art. I wanted to bring the inspiration of the inspire band to a more global audience. With my practice, I can only see so many clients and speak at so many engagements. With Lumiere, I can share a piece of myself with the world. Plus, it’s cute and stylish with a message. It’s the best of both worlds!!!
What I want people to understand about the overall Inspire brand is that I set out to do what the name says: inspire. My tagline is, “Inspire, the spark that lights the flame.” I want to ignite something in the people around me. I want people to feel different but better after experiencing me and the Inspire brand.
What sets me apart, and what I’m most proud of, is my dedication to practicing what I preach. I always say that I refuse to be a hypocritical therapist. I do the same work I ask of my clients. I employ the same techniques I use with them on myself. I allow myself to be the guinea pig to know what works. I am a healer who is passionate about the art of healing. I dedicate every day of my life to healing myself to better help others do the same.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’ve named at least two in this interview already. My life has had a lot of pivots. It’s funny because I’ve been telling people how this year has shown me the power of the pivot. That pivoting doesn’t have to be scary or frustrating. It’s only when we try to control everything that pivots feel daunting. As for a time I had to pivot, I would say my entire doctoral journey. As I stated previously, in 2019, my school closed unexpectedly due to financial aid fraud. I was devastated. I had no idea what to do. I was supposed to start my dissertation that fall; that’s how far along I was. I never wanted to do a full online program because I didn’t think I was disciplined enough, but Walden University was so kind that they took most of my credits. But that still pushed my journey back a lot. Fast forward to the dissertation process. My God!!! This has been the most pivot-filled process of my life. Between monkey wrenches like a life-threatening car crash that left me with two broken bones and an arm and back brace, my dog dying from cancer, and my graduation date being pushed back not once but twice, I have had no choice but to be okay when I have to pivot. I’ve learned that pivoting does not mean the goal is lost. It just means that the road to accomplishing the goal will look different than what you may have expected. Maybe you have to take a left instead of a right. Perhaps you have to get off the path entirely. Initially, that sometimes feels like a setback. In accepting the pivot, you soon learn you reach your destination at the perfect time. That every supposed setback truly aided in you to be right where you need to be.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
Absolutely!!! As I stated earlier, I wanted to be a writer growing up. I tried to write my first novel at the age of 9. I would handwrite it in a notebook. That dream has not died or disappeared. I am in the process of pursuing a writing career. The reason I say I would still choose my current career in mental health is because the things I have seen and experienced while in this field have been life-changing. All of it has aided me in being a better writer. I see character arcs every day with my clients. I witness the hero’s journey regularly. I understand personality and human behavior, which is great for character development. I often joke and say I want to be the John Grisham of mental health. John Grisham’s legal novels had the world in a chokehold for years. They felt real and relatable. Why? Because Grisham had been a lawyer himself. A trial he witnessed motivated him to write his first novel, “A Time to Kill.” John stated, “I seriously doubt I would ever have written the first story had I not been a lawyer. I never dreamed of being a writer. I wrote only after witnessing a trial.” Well, with 47 consecutive best-sellers, I think he got it right. But he doesn’t get there without being a lawyer first. So yes, I would take this path all over again without a doubt.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inspireccservices.com
- Other: [email protected]