Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Hines-Ligon.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
On July 5, 2010 my outlook on life completely changed; my cousin (who was like a brother to me) committed suicide. Two hours before his demise, he contacted me to talk, however, I was at a social gathering and I told him I would call him tomorrow.
My plan was to contact him the next morning, however, that day never came; he was gone. For years, I lived with so much guilt because I did not take the time to talk to him when he needed me most. My cousin’s death was a pivotal moment in my life- I made a vow that I will never be too busy to talk to someone who needs a listening ear.
I worked in several facets of counseling and the helping profession and each job has been a promotional opportunity for my career growth. My career began in 2007 as a Conservatorship Worker and PRIDE Trainer with the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services in Houston, Texas; I worked for the agency for seven years. In 2012, I became a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern in which I had to complete 3000 direct training hours in the counseling field before becoming fully licensed. In 2014, I worked as a Mental Health Professional for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Skyview prison unit in Rusk, Texas for two years. In 2016 I became a fully Licensed Professional Counselor and I secured a new job as the Director of Counseling at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas. During this time, I also worked part-time as a suicide prevention clinician at Smith County jail and as a private practice clinician at Open Arms Counseling Services, PLLC. In 2019, I open my own counseling practice, Katrina Hines-Ligon Counseling Services, in Tyler, Texas.
Counseling is my passion and my purpose in life.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been smooth with regard to my career path, however, I suffered from internal struggles of self-doubt and self-defeat early on in the profession. At the beginning of my career, being a young black mental health professional, came with colleagues who judged me based on my “young” appearance which I believed caused some individuals to doubt my capabilities and not respect me as a professional counselor. Today, I can scream to the mountain tops, ” THANK GOD, I DON’T LOOK LIKE WHAT I’VE BEEN THROUGH!” What I thought was a disadvantage has definitely been an advantage to my personal and professional growth. My beautiful, young spirit and charisma has won the hearts of so many of my Millennial aged clients because I am relevant and relatable, and when you’re searching for a counselor, those are two qualities you should look for. In addition, I’ve learned the importance of finding my nitch and perfecting my craft by continuing to educate myself with new counseling trends in order to stay effective. But the moral of this story is: “Never judge a book by its cover”, and “Don’t try keep me from having a seat at the table because my representation doesn’t quite fit your standard; because someday I just may be seated at the HEAD of that SAME table in which you tried to deny me a seat.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Katrina Hines-Ligon Counseling Services opened its doors in June 2019. I specialize in heart focused therapy; I believe that in order for true change to occur, first one must deal with matters of the heart. So many individuals suffer in silence, but I provide a nonjudgmental safe environment that allows clients to freely release those issues that have been suppressed. I work with clients to help gain insight and the courage needed to make positive, lasting changes in their lives. I tailor each session to my client’s individual needs; no counseling session is the same. I am most proud to be an African American female business owner who is actively bringing mental health awareness to our community in order to end the negative stigma.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
My counseling practice is located in Tyler, Texas which is approximately three hours north of Houston and one in a half hours southeast of Dallas. I serve clients in the Houston and Dallas metroplexes. I believe these major cities are a good place to start counseling practices. Our mental health matters and the more counseling practices that are available the better.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1820 Shiloh Road
Suite 1404
Tyler, TX 75703 - Website: www.khl-counseling.com
- Phone: 903-216-0414
- Email: khinesligonlpc@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Jerren Willis
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