Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Kirk. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Jamie Kirk is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Life Coach, Ordained Minister, Author, and Founder of A New Beginning Mental Health & Wellness nonprofit in Atlanta Georgia. A Los Angeles Native, growing up in the city of Los Angeles during the 80s crack epidemic and 90s gang era, I was exposed to the systemic challenges that factor into diverse traumas experienced within communities of color such as neglect, molestation, physical abuse, rape, and abandonment.
These experiences shaped my life which caused me to become suicidal in my teens. After a failed attempt, I realized that God had better for me although I could not see past my current situation. I had no one to tell me I could do it, I had no one guiding me, I had to find my own way. After high school, I gave birth to my son and married his father two years later. Although the marriage was toxic, I was determined to make my family work because I did not grow up with my parents. My father, a known gang member, died of pneumonia when I was five and my mother was addicted to crack and living on the streets. I knew in my heart that I wanted better for my son, even though I did not quite know what better was. In 2004, my family and I moved to Knoxville, TN where I gave birth to my daughter, who unfortunately died three days later. I am not sure if it was the death of my daughter or something that was always brewing, but my husband became verbally, mentally, and physically abusive. After trying to sue the hospital for a year for their role in my daughter’s death, we decided to move back to California.
After my husband and I divorced, I graduated with my bachelor’s in human services and my Master’s in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. During this next chapter in my life, I was awarded the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. I taught infants born with developmental disabilities the 7 domains of early childhood development, advocated for intellectually disabled adults, and provided case management for at-risk youth. I became a member of a sister circle known as The Distinguish Ladies Circle where we provided meals to the homeless, assisted low-income teens with prom, and other random acts of kindness. Later, I became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. where we promote scholarship, service, sisterly love, and finer womanhood. It was through servicing others I grew a love of wanting to see others grow. I realized that many people struggle with accomplishing their goals simply because they do not know how to let go of trauma and they struggle with the process of goal setting.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been a challenge preparing myself for this journey. I had to go through my own healing while being a single parent no support, a full-time job, and managing a bartending business and still struggling. I fought through depression, negative thinking, feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and abandonment. I really felt like I had nobody. Like everyone was sitting, watching, and waiting for me to fail. But every time I looked at my son, I knew in my heart that I could not fail and that I had to do everything in my power to get over this empty feeling I felt. Suffering with high functioning depression, I was the life of the party. A “Firecracker” my friends would call me. Not knowing that I cried myself home after every event. Feeling like there was more to life that seemed beyond my reach but the yearning for more was unbearable. That’s when I decided to commit to this journey and trust my process.
We’ve been impressed with Process 2 Success, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Process 2 Success LLC is a counseling/coaching service dedicated to teaching essential tools needed to overcome childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and other barriers preventing you from living the life of your dreams. We host private and public workshops for all ages through our P2S Academy where we not only teach about goal setting; we also provide life skills workshops with an emphasis on communication skills, building healthy relationships, conflict resolution, healing relationship wounds, body image and self-esteem, law enforcement, and more. We also offer 1-to-1 coaching and private group coaching.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I believe it is so important to be able to give back, especially when we can. It’s not only selfless, but it has the potential to make a tremendous impact on someone else and their life. I have always felt that giving does more for me than for the person receiving
my support; it brings me joy and happiness knowing I was able to help in some way. It is like a spiritual recharge and reminds me that every single one of us has something to offer, no matter how small it may seem. Every act of kindness matters! We are all
here for a purpose and collectively we can truly make a difference in the world if we just take the time to give.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Process2Success.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamjamiekirk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@process2success972
