Today we’d like to introduce you to Laquinta Milson.
Laquinta, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Port Arthur, TX by mother with the help of my grandmother. I am the elder of two sisters, Brittany and Mercedes Milson. Growing up, I wasn’t exactly sure of what I wanted to be, but I knew I enjoyed helping people. I was always giving and doing things for people. My college days started at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fl. I had a full golf scholarship. After about a month of school, I realized being a student athlete was much harder in college. I asked my coach for time to get used to the schedule/hours. He said no and kicked me off the team. A year later, I left Florida and returned back to Houston attending Houston Baptist University. I was there for about two and a half years as a nursing major. Financially, I struggled to make ends meet and knew if I wanted to finish college, I would have to transfer yet again. I transferred and spent my final undergrad semester at University of Houston Downtown.
Unfortunately, that came with changing my major from nursing to psychology. It seemed at the time that a psychology degree fit perfectly in my life. I had an aunt diagnosed with schizophrenia and a nephew with severe ADHD. This caused a lot of turmoil in our family; separation, avoidance, anger, and shame. However, I always found myself wanting be there for them. The psychology degree taught me that. I continued my education at Houston Graduate School of Theology where I earned a Master’s of Science in Counseling in May of 2018. I passed my licensure exam in July of 2018. I’m currently working on my Doctorate of Professional Counseling specializing in sex therapy. My private practice will be opening mid-March 2020 and I’m excited to embark on this new journey!
Great, 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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I have ran into obstacle after obstacle. Being a black lesbian woman I had three things against me and I had to fight extra hard to get what I wanted.
The best advice I can give anyone is to figure out your goal and do everything in your power to reach it. Failure doesn’t stop a plan it just delays or changes it. Keep going. Always.
Don’t give up. Keep going. Things get hard. Keep going. Failure. Keep going. Overwhelmed. Keep going. Never give up.
Competition? There is none. Shine your light bright and people will see.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Growth Center for Counseling and Wellness – what should we know?
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor. I specialize in vocational counseling, personality disorders, bipolar, depression, psychotic disorders, rehabilitation for sex offenders, and sex therapy.
I love being a helper. Being there for my clients and community is a feeling deeper than joy. I meet clients where they’re at and nothing feels better than helping a broken stuck person see life through different lens.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
I would have to say Oprah, my mom, and grandmother. Oprah’s hard-work, drive, dedication, and perseverance has always inspired me. I live by her quote “preparation meeting opportunity”. My mom and grandmother because they instilled in me that giving up is never an option. No matter how challenging something maybe, I was taught to go at it with my all.
Contact Info:
- Website: laquintamilson.com
- Phone: 2819893568
- Email: laquinta.milson@yahoo.com
- Instagram: thegrowthcentercw
Image Credit:
Jerele, Chris, Renatta
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