Today we’d like to introduce you to Kisha Walwyn-Duquesnay.
Hi Kisha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Kisha Walwyn-Duquesnay, and I’ve been a licensed psychotherapist since 2012. Only 4% of mental health therapists are Black women. So, in 2019, I founded optimsticcounseling.com. It’s a Texas-based virtual therapy practice specializing in alleviating clinical depression and anxiety that debilitates the professional and personal functioning of Black women. I chose to serve this community because it’s my community. Black women deserve a safe space for their mental health, without having to explain their culture first, with a medical professional who looks like them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a private practice was definitely a bumpy road. In grad school, they teach you how to be a therapist, not how to run a business. There was also messaging around how much more difficult private practice would be than agency work. So, it was scary and confusing to take that leap because I didn’t even know where to start or if I’d even succeed. But I’m not afraid to look stupid to learn what I need to know. So, I reached out to clinicians with successful private practices, went to YouTube University, read/audiobooks (business, marketing, private practice, etc.), and researched as much as I could. I also tried different methods (private pay only, insurance, directories) until I found the right fit for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
optimisticcounseling.com is a virtual psychotherapy private practice equipping women with clinically driven tools to overcome Imposter Syndrome so they can have less anxiety and depression in their day. For more than 10 years, the Optimistic Counseling Practice has been on a mission to empower women to rewrite their own narratives of success and happiness so they can finally achieve the life they’ve always dreamed of. By defying the toxic social pressure that makes them second-guess if they’re doing enough, women confidently reclaim their worth and own their accomplishments.
Any big plans?
I’m looking forward to expanding from a part to a full-time private practice this year. I’m also excited about clinical consultation and contracting opportunities coming soon. You know, things I never even knew were possibilities back when I was a new therapist. I’m deeply thankful for it all. I’m learning to be grateful for the unique twists and turns of my journey instead of comparing myself to others. Who knows what kind of opportunities and relationships I would’ve missed out on had things not played out exactly as they did for me?
Pricing:
- Most Major Insurances Accepted
- $125 private pay
Contact Info:
- Website: https://optimisticcounseling.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kisha-walwyn-duquesnay-32b050183
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCBdbS1_5uV40OZBjcZ7C8Zg
- Other: https://mailchi.mp/6b4f48be728a/httpsw7i8douwlkatypeformcomtov2n9mbxx https://tr.ee/fFNqaj-b_J https://linktr.ee/optimisticcounseling?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#317941868 https://mailchi.mp/f2e04233d194/10-reasons-you-might-feel-some-type-of-way-sis https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/kisha-walwyn-duquesnay/ https://mailchi.mp/28244558ece8/the-self-care-digital-planner
