We recently connected with Nashira Kayode PhD LCSW and have shared our conversation below.

Nashira, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

My first job in the mental health field was at one of the largest inpatient psychiatric hospitals in the nation for forensic and civilly committed patients with severe mental illness. I finished my Masters of Social Work in June 2008 right as the economy took a dive and many jobs in my field were the first to be cut. So, when I started this job in April of 2009 I was elated and willing to work ANY job. I was a single mom to a 1-year-old and 4-year-old. I was desperate for  job. I graduated top of my class and was told I was the top hire of my new cohort coming into the hospital. I was confident and excited to finally be a professional. I had no idea that school had not prepared me at all for what I was about to experience lol

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have spent the last 17 years as a professional in the mental health field as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am an expert with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). I obtained a PhD in Public Policy and Administration with a Specialization in Criminal Justice in 2017. I specialize in Forensics and Cultural Diversity and have provided services throughout the state of California for numerous state, county, school, and private agencies in numerous roles including forensic expert, trainer, direct service provider, program developer, manager, and director.

After spending my entire working for primarily government agencies “within the box” to provide services and enduring years of burnout, I knew it was time to do something different. I felt stuck between a standard 9-5 career path and my soul yearning for a more meaningful and authentic existence that still allowed me to make real social change. I felt called to create a safe space not only for me, but for some of the other groups of people traditionally left out of the creation and development process of theoretical practices and interventions (women, Black/African Americans, younger generations) to continue to grow and bloom into the best version of ourselves as possible. It is at our best self-versions, that we can reflect back to our communities and create lasting social change.

With these beliefs in mind, I started my own private practice and consultation in 2017 originally known as Funn Psychotherapy and Consultation. In 2022, I retired from public service to focus solely on building my brand and business. Pursuing my own endeavors as an author, trainer and consultant provide the opportunity to flourish in a place where I can be ME and Share ME. Sometimes that does not fit inside the box. And that’s ok! I think we all have moments where we feel like we don’t fit in. I decided to embrace that feeling. Promote that feeling. After all, that has to be what makes us each unique. The principals of authenticity, self- love, self-care, self-acceptance, believing in oneself, operating from a place of integrity, and self- determination are all significant pillars of this agency.

My work is all about accepting who you are and learning to work within who are to the best of your abilities using ideas based on Prevention, Treatment, Humor, Reality and Radical Acceptance. I aim to provide an outlet and resource for the group of people that need help but may not need the intense help provided by many agencies. There are many people that struggle just to be good parents, or successful employees, or are just trying to make it from day to day and feel better while they are doing it. Sometimes when people are functioning well (at least from outside appearances) they are considered “ok” and mental health care is saved for those that need it more. Perhaps rightly so. But wouldn’t it be great it there was mental health care for everyone? Well, I hope that is what you find through my resources. Wouldn’t it be great if there were something for those of us that needed a little more too? A little more happiness. A little more calmness. A little more of whatever it is that you need to not just make it another day, but to THRIVE another day!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Although I started my consultation business in 2017, it was my “side business” and my various government positions remained my main focus. In 2022, I made the pivot, (well maybe leap) to working my business full time. It was a huge step of faith for someone who has been very independent personally to rely on my husband while I built up my business. But I’m learning life is all about pivoting. I’m sure this isn’t the first or last time lol. Change is good.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge it is very important to actually do clinical work. Especially right now. There are a lot of people claiming to be mental health experts or treat mental health concerns but they have never actually had clients or patients, some do not even have the proper education to address such issues. Knowledge without actually putting it into practice is absolutely not enough when dealing with mental health. Also, licensure is important. Licensure is the proof that you have put your knowledge to practice and achieved at least a minimal level of proficiency. Licensure also significantly opens the door for not only more employment opportunities but the better employment opportunities. Mental health is too serious and too important to take so lightly to believe practice and licensure is not important in order to be successful in this field. We would not see a doctor who has never actually practiced medicine or is unlicensed. We should hold our mental health to the same level of importance. It is too vital to not do so.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drshikay.com/
• Instagram: https://www.drshikay.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nashira-funn-87834b135

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