Deondra Thornton MS, ALC, NCC on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Deondra Thornton MS, ALC, NCC. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Deondra, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now typically consists of hopping on zoom for online class for my PhD program, a few telehealth sessions with my counseling clients, writing notes on the sessions, and completing any assignments or readings for school. By the time all of that is done, my husband is usually home from work and we spend time watching our shows and catching up.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey! My name is Deondra Thornton, MS, ALC, NCC. I am currently an Associate Licensed Counselor who specializes in the children and adolescent population. However, I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with all age groups. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Alabama and my Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Children and Adolescence Disorders from Grand Canyon University. I am currently pursing my Doctorate in Infant and Early Childhood Development with an Emphasis in Mental Health and Neurodiversity at Fielding University. Additionally, I am a content creator on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram who focuses primarily on natural hair care and my counseling journey. I provide tips and techniques for learning to manage, care for, and fall in love with your natural hair. For my counselors-to-be, I provide study tips and information about how to become a licensed counselor. When I first began my “deondralavon” YouTube channel, I knew I had a passion for helping others embrace their natural curls. As I began my counseling journey, I realized that I could also reach those who were interested in mental health as well. This has created a unique opportunity for me to combine my passion for natural hair, building a strong sense of self, mental health, and counseling into my brand. I truly love what I do!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I always knew exactly what I wanted to be and I thought that was all I should focus on. I wanted to be a pediatrician primarily because I loved babies and did not do much research into other fields. However, as I grew into myself, I realized that I did not have to put myself into a box in that way. I realized that I can work with young children and adolescents in a multitude of ways. This is what led me to becoming a children’s counselor. I love being able to reach and build up children at such a young age, instilling confidence and a strong sense of self that can help them as they grow. I teach my kiddos that they can be anything they choose and they do not have to put themselves into a box. Life is about integrating all of your passions and creating an environment for those passions to grow.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My biggest fear has always been failing. As a child, I always strived for perfect grades and would actually cry when I did not make an A on an assignment. I always knew that people expected me to be great and I was constantly reminded of my potential by others. Even my senior year of high school, I was reminded of these expectations when I won “Most intellectual” and “Most likely to succeed”. I always felt that others were watching me which made me very self-conscious at times. Although this fear of failing or letting others down did encourage me to work hard and be successful, it was also a heavy weight to carry. It kept me from branching out much because I wanted to take the safe route that I was comfortable and confident in. However, as I’ve grown, I have realized that true growth comes from challenging yourself and not doing the easy thing. Failure is a part of life and it’s when we learn and grow the most, even though it is uncomfortable. As a counselor, I am constantly challenged by different children with different needs. I never know what a child is dealing with until I meet them for the first time. However, I have learned to embrace this challenge and it’s one of the aspects of my job that I love the most.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I love this question! So often we talk about “being yourself at all times” but we never discuss how difficult this really is. As I have become a more public figure on social media, I have grown to truly understand and appreciate authenticity. My audience wants to see the real me and not just the perfect version of myself that many of us are tempted to post online. It can difficult though because we don’t want the be judged or be viewed in a negative light. However, things are not always perfect and we aren’t going to always get it right. When I am counseling my kids, I always make sure to show them the real me. I want them to know that I’m a human just like them and I have had many of the same thoughts, feelings, and experiences that they have. This helps them feel that they can relate to me which is essential for building a strong therapeutic relationship.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Great question! I feel like this question embodies why I am such an advocate for doing things you are truly passionate about. When you are driven by passion, that is the reward itself! You don’t need external praise because the validation and motivation comes from within. I give my best when I am counseling because I want to be the best counselor, support system, and motivator that I can be for my kids. Seeing them grow in their confidence, emotional regulation and expression, as well as becoming who they are meant to be is all the praise that I need. I also teach my kids this as well. External validation is fleeting and shallow. The true validation must come from inside.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/deondralavon
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/deondralavon
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/deondralavon
• Other: TikTok.com/deondralavon
  https://deondralavon.etsy.com/