Today we’d like to introduce you to Latisha Woods.
Hi Latisha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Oddly enough, it all started with an Intro to Psych class in my junior year of high school. I was excited to take the class, but only because I had heard of a cool activity the teacher did with every class. Little did I know that class would change the trajectory of my life. Up until that point, I was known for being a writer. I was planning to major in it in college and have a fruitful career. But then I started the highly anticipated class, and something happened. Something changed. For the first time, I was learning about myself as I learned a subject. I don’t know about you, but the only inner thought provoked by calculus was, “Why do I need to take this class?” No, this was different. I found myself better understanding the inner workings of my mind. The behaviors of others became clearer to me. I was intrigued. By the end of the class, I had decided to become a psychology major, which took many by surprise. Little did I know what I signed up for.
When I began undergrad at the GREAT Bethune-Cookman University in 2007, I didn’t have a clue what I would do with a psychology degree. I just knew I liked the subject. The summer leading into sophomore year, I realized how much, even at that young age, I would help people in relationships. People would always come to me to seek relationship advice. So, I figured, why not focus on becoming a marriage counselor? From that moment forward, I focused on taking electives to assist me on that track. Fast forward to graduation in 2011. Here I was, a newly graduated 22-year-old with no clue about what to do with this brand-new psychology degree. I had moved to Atlanta on a whim because I bombed the GRE, which subsequently bombed my chances of getting into the grad school I wanted. I was jobless and didn’t know the first thing about how to get one with my degree. I was also beyond the deadline to apply for grad school. Or so I thought. One day, while looking for jobs, an ad popped up for a school called Argosy University. I had never heard of it, so I researched it. Lo and behold, they offered open enrollment, meaning you can enroll whenever. Before getting too excited, I looked into their programs. When I explored the programs they had, the Masters of Community Counseling spoke to what I envisioned for myself the most. So, I sent a contact message for someone to reach out to me. I was enrolled that fall for my master’s degree. Unbeknownst to me, it would take a full year before I would get a job. A professor found out we were sorority sisters and recommended I talk to her daughter, who was also a soror. The daughter, who became a great friend of mine, got me hired at her job. I would then get a taste of what I was signing up for by working in mental health.
Upon graduation, I was hired by the agency I interned for, which happened to be owned by my soror as well. For the next three years, I would work at that and another agency, losing my mind with each day. I knew community work was not for me. Most times, I saw clients in homes that were barely livable. A few times, I had to knock roaches off my laptop while I attempted to complete assessments. To make matters worse, I was underpaid and overworked. Needless to say, when it was time to apply to get my full licensure, I knew it was time to start my own practice, which was always the goal. In 2017, after two degrees, a marriage and family therapy certificate, and three years of supervision, I opened the doors to Inspire Coaching and Counseling Services, LLC. That same year, I began my doctoral journey. Today, I run my practice full-time and am currently finishing my dissertation. I do speaking engagements and have a wellness brand, Lumière, which I launched in 2021.
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?
Whew, I needed that laugh. There has been nothing smooth on this journey. It took me three years to make a livable wage from my business. I was so broke those first few years. I’m talking about eating grits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, kind of broke. During the second year of my doc program in 2018, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (she survived and is thriving today). In 2019, the school that I was attending for my doc program, Argosy University, closed unexpectedly due to financial aid fraud. Therefore, I was out of school for six months before deciding on Walden University to finish getting my degree. 2020 was well, 2020. But on top of a pandemic, my dissertation chair was, too, diagnosed with breast cancer (she too survived and is thriving). In February of 2022, I was in a catastrophic car accident, which resulted in my car being totaled, a broken shoulder, and a crushed bone in my lower back. I was in an arm sling and back brace for months. In July of 2022, my dog of 11 years died of stomach cancer. Somewhere in those years, my grandfather was also diagnosed with cancer a second time and beat it as well. Do you catch my drift? There have been many struggles along the way. But they do not compare to all the amazing things that I experience each day. Through it all, I can honestly say life is amazing, and it’s what you make of it. I understand that those instances are the anomaly, not the norm.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Inspire Coaching and Counseling Services, LLC?
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia. I also am a national certified counselor (NCC). I have my private practice, Inspire Coaching and Counseling Services, LLC, and my wellness brand, Lumière. In my practice, I specialize in couples/marriage counseling. As for individuals, I specialize in diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and PTSD. I also focus on trauma, familial discord, life decisions, and relational connections. What sets me apart is that I practice what I preach. The unfortunate reality is that most therapists are burned out. Healing work is not for the faint at heart. But when you don’t properly care for yourself, you become burned out and jaded. I take pride in setting boundaries, engaging in self-care, and doing the things I preach to my clients on a daily. If I offer a book suggestion, I’ve read it. If I throw out a technique, I’ve used it. As for what I’m most proud of, it’s authenticity. What you see is what you get with me. Traditionally, therapists are taught to be reserved and not very forthcoming about themselves. However, I’ve found that my clients enjoy having someone who is real and whom they can connect with. As for my wellness brand, I love it because it’s cute with a purpose. Stylish and inspiring. Seems like a win-win to me!!!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am the true definition of an introvert. I can only be around crowds or people for so long without becoming completely depleted. I truly recharge alone. People are so thrown off by this fact, considering I’m a whole healer and appear outgoing. But even throughout my workday, I create space for me to recharge. Without it, I could not function.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inspireccservices.com/
- Other: https://www.lumieremerch.com/
