Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Buchanan.
Hi Keisha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always had the gift of gab and at a young age, I thought I would be an attorney. I began my undergraduate studies at Morris Brown College as a double major in psychology and criminal justice. Well let’s say I was not a double major for long and decided on the field of psychology. Psychology won because it allowed me to see the journey as people travel through lives experiences. It is something gratifying when you are a part of a desired changed for an improved life. After college, I still had this desire to be a part of criminal justice profession. I considered the FBI but I did to want to be a field agent, I wanted to go directly into forensic psychology of course after obtaining the educational requirements. I went on to obtain my master’s degree in professional counseling. I worked for the state of Georgia, Department of Juvenile Justice and several local counties providing mental health services. I realized that the work that I was doing was impactful but it did not allow me to see the full journey of my clients. This encouraged me to create Next Step Counseling while working on my doctoral degree in counseling psychology.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
9 to 5 is a name that was given to me in undergraduate school because I always had a job. Being employed was instilled into to me as the only means of independence. At the age of 26, I received the greatest gift in life, motherhood! I was a single mother with stable employment and a limited support system in Georgia. Leaving my job to start a private practice was scary, anxiety-provoking but exciting at the same time. I had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way. At the start of my business, I suffered several great losses that introduced emotional challenges for me. During this time, I became withdrawn and isolated myself from those in my inner circle. I continued to show up and took care of my responsibilities but chose to suffer alone. Some took notice that I was not myself and I did not perform at the level that I was capable of and encouraged me. This is when I decided to take the next step and get help. I have always been an advocate for counseling but didn’t think that I would be in a place of need. Not because I was better than anyone or exempt but because I practiced what I taught others. I share this to say that depression does not discriminate. My faith, a great therapist, and an awesome support system that probably was unaware of how they helped carried me through this challenging time helped me overcome my challenges. It is because of my experience in life that I am better able to be a support to others.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a therapist, educator and advocate. Over the past 15 years, I have served on numerous boards of directors for nonprofits organizations advocating for change and development within young girls, disadvantaged communities and promoting mental health. I am an adjunct professor and have been working in higher education for the last 12 years, teaching on a bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. I created Next Step Counseling in 2009. Next Step Counseling is a private practice that provides individual, couples and family counseling, that started as a solo practice and has grown into a thriving group practice of African American therapists that is a part of the solution in breaking the stigma in minority communities. In addition to counseling, we provide consulting, supervision, training, coaching, co-parenting and workshops. Next Step Counseling specializes in training therapists, treating trauma and has recently taken on a new specialty in working with first responders. RELIF, the now nonprofit organization was birth as a program offered at NSC, designed to preserve the lives of first responders. I am most proud of the fact that our clients enjoy a warm, caring environment with individualized care. At NSC, we strive to help you take the next step in life!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There are so many lessons that I have learned on my journey narrowing it down to the most important seems unfair to the others. So I am going to provide you with my top three:
1. You have to be selfish in order to be selfless. Self-care is essential!
2. Listening for understanding is more powerful than having a lot to say.
3. Faith, family and friends have always been the source of my recovery.
Pricing:
- $120 per 50 mins of Individual Counseling
- $200 per 1.5 Couples
- $100-$200 Workshops per individual
- $160 Family therapy
Contact Info:
- Email: nscadmin@nscas.net
- Website: www.yournextstepllc.com
- Instagram: @nextstepcounselingllc
- Facebook: @Dr.KPBuchanan
