Rising Stars: Meet Gloria Kilanko of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Kilanko.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Founded in 2019, Renovat!ng M!nds Kilanko LLC was born out of deep passion and a pressing need to provide specialized mental health support for children, adolescents and their families in the community. At that time, few providers were equipped or willing to work with younger clients, yet the demand for early mental health intervention was undeniable.
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We knew that if we could support young people early in life, we could help shape healthier, happier adults for the future. And we’ve been doing just that one family, one child, one breakthrough at a time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Renovat!ng M!nds Kilanko LLC was founded in late 2019, so you can imagine the challenges we faced when the COVID-19 pandemic began just a few months later in the spring of 2020. As a new practice that was still establishing its foundation, the pandemic brought an unexpected and significant shift to the way we operated.
However, one thing became abundantly clear: the need for mental health support did not stop because of the pandemic, in many ways it increased.
Families and individuals were suddenly spending unprecedented amounts of time at home with limited opportunities for social interaction, personal space, and the support systems they had previously relied upon. People were navigating fear, uncertainty, grief, relationship challenges, financial stress, parenting difficulties, isolation, and the emotional impact of an ever-changing world. There was simply so much happening within homes and within individuals that the need for accessible mental health support became even more important.

At the same time, the practice had to quickly adapt to a new way of providing care. Transitioning from primarily in-person services to virtual sessions required us to learn, adjust, and ensure that we were meeting all applicable professional and regulatory requirements for providing Telehealth services. This included obtaining the necessary training and certifications to ensure that our virtual services remained ethical, secure, and compliant with professional board requirements.
We also recognized another significant challenge: not everyone could continue to afford mental health services in the same way they had before the pandemic. Financial hardships affected countless individuals and families, and we did not want financial circumstances to become another barrier to receiving needed support.
So, we adapted.
We pushed through, revamped our approach, adjusted our services, and found ways to continue showing up for the people who needed us. One of those adjustments included offering sliding-scale options for individuals who could not afford the full cost of services.
Looking back, the early years of the practice were filled with uncertainty, challenges, and many opportunities to grow. But they also reinforced something that remains at the heart of the practice today: Mental health care matters, especially during difficult seasons.

The pandemic taught us the importance of flexibility, accessibility, compassion, and resilience. Most importantly, it reminded us that sometimes, providing meaningful care means being willing to adapt while remaining committed to the people we serve.

We didn’t simply survive an unexpected beginning, we learned, evolved, and continued building a practice centered on meeting people where they are.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 13 years post-master’s experience working with children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, veterans, and chemically-dependent populations. As licensed professional counselor, I am deeply committed to helping my clients navigate life’s challenges with compassion and expertise. With years of experience in providing therapeutic support, my goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where my clients can explore their emotions, find clarity, and work toward healing and personal growth.
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Affectionately known as the youth whisperer, I specialize in working with clients dealing with depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anger management, stress management, post traumatic stress disorder and family dynamics.

What sets me apart is the passion and personal drive behind the work I do. I don’t view my work simply as a job or a profession; I view it as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. For me, every interaction is an opportunity to plant a seed of hope, healing, growth, or positive change. I recognize that I may not always see the immediate impact of that seed, but I believe that even the smallest positive influence can have a lasting effect on an individual’s life.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is preparing meals with my mother to take downtown and share with individuals and families who were experiencing difficult circumstances. At the time, I may not have fully understood the impact of those moments, but looking back, I recognize how deeply they shaped the person I would become.
My parents have always placed a strong emphasis on giving back, serving others, and making a meaningful difference within the community. They taught us that no matter where life takes us or how much we may accomplish, we should never become so comfortable that we forget about those who may not have the same opportunities or resources. Those experiences taught me that compassion is more than simply feeling empathy for someone, it is being willing to show up, extend a helping hand, and do something meaningful to make someone else’s circumstances a little easier. My parents modeled this through their actions, and those lessons became a fundamental part of how I view people and the world around me.

This childhood experience has stayed with me throughout my life and has significantly influenced how I navigate both my personal and professional relationships. It has taught me to look beyond what is immediately visible, to recognize that everyone has a story, and to approach people with dignity, compassion, and understanding. I believe that is also part of what ultimately drew me to the mental health profession. Supporting others has never felt like simply a career choice; it is deeply connected to the values I was raised with. I learned early that we all have the ability to make a difference, whether through a meal, a listening ear, a kind word, advocacy, or simply being present for someone during a difficult season.
When I think about those days preparing meals with my mother, I realize that those seemingly simple childhood moments were actually teaching me some of life’s most important lessons: serve others, remain humble, lead with compassion, and never forget where you came from or the people who may need someone to care.
Those lessons continue to shape who I am today and the way I strive to show up in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.renovatingmindskilankollc.org/
• Instagram: renovatingmindsllc
• Facebook: renovatingmindskilankollc