Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Laklieshia Izzard.
Dr. Laklieshia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Looking over my life journey up until now, I would start with my childhood because that is where it all began. I am the first grandchild from my maternal and paternal families. I have always been the focal point of my family. I was encouraged by my late grandmothers Lillie Izzard and Nellie Johnson to be the best me I could be not just for myself but for my family.
My late grandmothers, mother Lita Izzard and Uncle Clarence Izzard believe with God all things are possible. They instilled this great faith in me as a child. That is something that always resonated with me as I embarked on new challenges in my life and it became a motivating factor to ensure legacy for my family. While high school wasn’t as pleasant for me academically college was a strong suit and I ran with that strength all the way to achieving my Doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. I am a first-generation female college graduate at all levels undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate in my family. There was no blueprint for me, so I had to embrace mentorships from Pastors, Counselors, Teachers, Professors, and family friends that are college graduates. Applying wisdom from these mentors I soon began to see success take place in my life very quickly and at an early age. I was a special education teacher at the age of 22, a practicing counselor at age 25, and a licensed counselor at 27.
I became a Doctor of Counselor Education by age 33. I literally catapulted into becoming a professor, author, and entrepreneur at age 34. I was taken by surprise as the doors of opportunity opened to assume Counselor leadership positions at age 35. I am currently the third founding President for the American Counseling Association of Georgia (ACA of GA) at age 38. ACA of GA is a branch of the American Counseling Association the largest counseling association in the World. This position is allowing me to live out my gift of servant leadership! Faith, Family, and Mentorship are truly the driving forces to my continued success.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. With each new great level of success there comes a great level of opposition. As a woman of faith while I know this in my heart that opposition is apart of the process but that doesn’t stop the pain. It’s something called growing pains and growing through to the next level. Opposition can take the form of attacks to include jealousy, envy, dishonesty, bullying, mistreatment, taking kindness for weakness and more, I experienced these and more. However, I have always risen above these attacks because I have realized along this journey attacks are just distraction to prevent you from reaching your God-Given Destiny! Opposition only makes you better, stronger, and wiser. I have an amazing support system from my Mother Lita Izzard, Father James Evans, Uncle Clarence Izzard, and Pastors Dr. Kerwin Lee, Wayne Robinson, and Phillip Nash, I also seek counseling when needed to help me along the way.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the owner of Shekinah Counseling where my expertise areas are counseling, consulting, training, supervision, and mentorship. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and Tri Care Mental Health Counselor. I love my business because it’s my own and I have been able to sculpt my business the way I want, it is not an average counseling practice. I do much more than counseling individuals which I only do virtually and when I’m available. I train across the state of Georgia and across state lines on Mental Health, Counseling, Stress Management, Leadership Development and much more. I provide career consulting and mentorship by embracing one’s gift areas. I conduct counselor supervision and supervision evaluation for students, professionals, and counseling internship sites. What sets my practice apart I believe, is the virtual component as all of my services are virtual except for the optional face to face training/presentations. I am most proud that I have a unique virtual business. Again I did not have a blueprint to follow therefore I had to develop a virtual entrepreneurship mentality!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently, I am looking forward to taking on a few more Leadership roles in Counseling and Mental health. My plans for the future are to train nationally and internationally in Mental Health, Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development, and Leadership Development. I also plan to author more self-help books!
Pricing:
- Individual Supervision, Consulting, and Mentorship depends on time but starts at 85$
- Counseling starts at $100 and Training starting face to face $375 Webinar $250
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6786075037
- Email: shekinahcounseling@gmail.com
- Instagram: Drklieshia izzy
- Facebook: @shekinahccts
- Other: shekinahcts.com
Image Credit:
Lisa photos
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