She/Her Regina Harris on Life, Lessons & Legacy

She/Her Regina Harris shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Regina, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
One big misconception about therapy is that it’s only for people with mental illness. In reality, therapy is a valuable space for navigating stress, major life transitions, and personal growth. It’s certainly about healing, but it’s also about building resilience and reconnecting with ourselves.

Another common misunderstanding is the idea that therapists are there to solve your problems or tell you exactly what to do. I view therapy as a collaborative relationship built on trust and emotional safety. My role as a therapist is to guide clients in exploring their thoughts, choices, behaviors, and patterns so they can create the changes they’re seeking.

People also sometimes expect therapy to feel good right away. I make sure my clients understand that progress is a process—lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. I’m always honest and transparent about the fact that working through difficult emotions can feel uncomfortable before it becomes empowering.

Finally, one of the biggest myths is that therapy is a lifelong commitment. I’ve worked with clients who achieved their goals in as few as three or four sessions. Therapy is a unique journey tailored to each person’s individual needs. My goal is to brand therapy as a safe, nonjudgmental space to begin or continue their personal development journey. I’m passionate about debunking these myths and stereotypes, and I’m encouraged by how many people are beginning to recognize therapy’s value.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Regina Harris, and my path to becoming a therapist began a little differently than most. I started my professional journey as a teacher, and it was in listening to my students’ stories and hardships that I first felt a deep desire to help them on a more meaningful level. That calling led me to become a school counselor, where I could offer more direct support. While I loved that role, I soon realized that the depth of work I longed to do which is helping people create lasting, transformative change would require me to go further.That realization inspired me to pursue my license as a professional counselor, and it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. Over the years, I’ve worked with several group practices, but I eventually felt called to create a space that reflected my unique vision for therapy and one that honors the past, empowers the future, and blends traditional therapy with coaching for a holistic experience.
After much thought and reflection, I chose the name The Unalome Journey for my practice. The Unalome (pronounced ooh-nah-lome) is a Buddhist symbol representing the winding, sometimes chaotic path of life, the struggles, mistakes, and growth that ultimately leads to clarity, enlightenment, and inner peace. This symbol perfectly captures the essence of my work which is guiding clients through life’s twists and turns as they reconnect with themselves and move toward wholeness and peace. What makes my approach special is the belief that therapy is not just about healing wounds but about cultivating resilience, purpose, and self-empowerment. I am continually learning and growing so I can bring fresh insights, tools, and compassion to every client I work with. At The Unalome Journey, my mission is simple yet empowering and that is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their stories, embrace their growth, and step confidently into the lives they envision. I’m honored to walk alongside each person on their path toward healing and self-discovery and I’m excited about the transformative journeys yet to come.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world was when Barack Obama became President of the United States. Seeing a person of color rise to the highest office in the country opened up a world of possibilities and made me believe that change was possible, that the world could envision something different, and that people like me could belong in this world. As a woman of color, it was deeply empowering; it strengthened my belief in myself and my ability to impact change for others. It was a moment filled with hope, inspiration, and the reminder that this country and this world has room for voices, perspectives, and experiences that have historically been marginalized. This is the same vision I want for my clients to see a world that not only includes them but truly recognizes and values their presence, their voices, and their potential. At the same time, it was a moment of contrast. While it reflected progress and possibility, it also revealed the persistence of prejudice, exclusion, and resistance to change. I realized that while we had come a long way, there was still important work to be done. Not everyone embraced this historic moment, and many still clung to old narratives and biases. Yet even in the face of that resistance, the transition offered hope to the hopeless, a vision that many of us had imagined but seemed so far out of reach. Reflecting on that moment continues to shape how I see the world today. Even when the world feels overwhelming, unjust, and frightening, I carry with me that sense of possibility and hope. It reminds me of the importance of empowerment, of lifting others up, and of creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and capable of growth. Every day, in my work, I strive to offer that hope and encouragement to those whose lives I touch, believing that even in a complex and challenging world, meaningful change is always possible.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me lessons that success alone could never. It has shown me the depth of resiliency I carry the ability to endure, adapt, and keep moving forward even when life feels heavy or uncertain. It has strengthened my faith and hope, reminding me that even in the darkest moments, growth is possible and transformation can emerge from struggle. Suffering also taught me that it is optional in the sense that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond, and that our response can be a powerful tool for change.
Through hardship, I’ve learned to embrace inner conflict as a mechanism for growth rather than something to fear or avoid. I’ve discovered that vulnerability and fear are not weaknesses but pathways to courage and self-awareness. Suffering has empowered me to love myself more deeply, to trust that I can face difficult challenges, and to recognize that I can do hard things. Suffering has offered me wisdom, perspective, and a profound sense of self. It has shown me that true growth is not linear and that transformation requires patience, courage, and compassion both for myself and for others. In many ways, the discomfort, fear, and uncertainty of suffering have become some of my greatest teachers, guiding me to a more empowered, authentic, and resilient version of myself.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Is the public version of me the real me? Yes, because I believe in the value of authenticity. I am perfectly imperfect, with all my flaws, and I can only ever be myself. There were times when I didn’t fully embrace her, but today I do because I’ve lived enough to know that not being my true self leaves the narrative of my life in the hands of others. My story is mine to tell, and I want people to see me as I truly am and accept me. I no longer try to mold myself to fit others’ expectations.
Willowing and bending to become what others want takes us further from who we are. I strive to learn about myself every day and to accept myself fully, because that self-acceptance empowers me to show up as the person I was created to be, allowing others to form their own understanding of me. I am more than enough to myself first, and that is the foundation for being fully present in the world.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, the first thing I would stop doing immediately is overthinking and over functioning. I’ve spent so much energy worrying about every “what if,” trying to control outcomes, and carrying responsibilities that aren’t mine to carry. Life is too short to get lost in endless loops of doubt or trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. I would let go of the need to have it all figured out, trust myself more, and focus on what truly matters and that is living fully, being present, and showing up authentically for myself and those I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://the-unalomejourney.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-lynn-harris-643594287
• Other: Google: https://share.google/J5C8jV7mdmiFWgiDX

Image Credits
Ronnie Julio Photographer and True Space Office Rentals