We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adrienne Wise, LPC, CCTP. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adrienne below.
Hi Adrienne, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
When I was about 10 years old a lot of things happened to me that year that was just remarkable. I broke my leg severely that year. It was a pretty bad break, but the doctor who healed me was the doctor for the NFL team the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins). I thought, what were the odds of that! Then I moved to a new school and despite being new I auditioned for a school play and got the lead role and for the first time sang in front of a live audience. I thought what were the odds of that! Then I heard the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) a very well known chorale group out of DC, were having auditions at the Kennedy Center. I was the youngest person to audition. And I got in the WPAS. I thought what were the odds of that! I could not keep up with the expectations of this chorale group, so my time was short lived. Finally, I received a call from a local TV producer who had heard me sing in the school play and asked if I was interested in singing a theme song for a soon to be cartoon show. I was able to work with a rapper from the Hip Hop group “Digable Planets”. Not only did I say “yes”, I thought, what were the odds of that! Sadly, while I saw the project to the finish line, my voice was removed and they kept another child’s voice (who was a friend of mine) instead.
As many highs I experienced, there were lows. As many wins that I received, there were losses. I never loss hope or faith in the next win because each experience gave me insight into the next. Each experience allowed me to become the woman that I am today. Confidence is built from your Self-esteem and Self-esteem is based on who you are. I am Resilient!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I come from a family of diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health issues inclusive of substance abuse. Many family members who have been in denial of their issues and their impact on others. Where these experiences mostly drive people away from these careers, it drove me smack into mine. I was on a mission to spread awareness of mental health issues and normalize this to eradicate the stigma.
Fast forward to over 15-year Mental Health Career, Leading and overseeing mental health departments, providing trauma-informed care initiatives within agencies, and providing counseling services to the entire lifespan as young as 2 years old.
I have always enjoyed training and educating others about mental health or mental health-related topics. Many of my clients shared how I was able to reduce their stigma around mental health because of how I am able to normalize thoughts and feelings. So, I learned I had many versions of “voice” and it’s through speaking, training, and being a therapist and all of the purpose to heal and not feel ashamed of the challenges one may have. Oh, and I can sing as well, but that’s a story for another day lol!
To date, I am an international keynoter, emotional wellness expert, and trauma-informed care consultant, with over 15 years of professional experience in the behavioral health industry. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, who has been featured in Voyage Baltimore, several publications such as Daily Journal, Nebraska News, and Tap-In Magazine and Founder/CEO of Wise Choice Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC.
The mission of my business is to help corporations, organizations, and individuals to eliminate the stigma around mental health in the workplace, through counseling and consultation. I lost my father to a drug overdose in 2012, and I understand what its like dealing with a personal matter such as this but having to show up to work every day, ready to “perform”. That is why I am so passionate about our goal to normalize addressing mental health in the workplace, because I know the negative possibilities that arise.
There are two sides to Wise Choice Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC, trauma-informed consulting services where I completely transform workplace culture from toxic to welcoming and inclusive. Staff have reported feeling more energized, better teaming and cohesion, less sick days and leaders have learned the value in calling staff in vs. calling them out. The second side of my business is a virtual counseling practice serving the entire lifespan from ages 2yrs. old and up, set to open by end of 2023.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 key qualities along my journey were knowing your craft or niche, believing in your craft/niche, and a willingness to never stop growing in your craft/niche.
These qualities of knowing, believing, and continued growth in your craft allows you to stay ahead of others who do what you do, ignore the naysayers because your belief is enough, but never get too comfortable or settle as the continued growth keeps you sharp and keeps you ahead of the game. Remember there are a million people who can do what you do or already do, but it is you who does it better!
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Counseling wise it is challenging to describe an ideal client, because everyone shows up because they are in need of something. No matter how challenging it is to get them understand those needs and how to address them, the fact that they showed for help is huge! So, counseling wise, those who show up are ideal.
The ideal consulting clients are leaders/organizations who recognize the culture within the workplace environment is in need of a shift. They recognize the bottom line is important, but there is a much more holistic way of getting there. They recognize that we can both win if we can find a way to work together. A leader who recognizes all of these things cares about their employees and their well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wisechoicecounseling.com
- Instagram: wise_choicellc
- Facebook: wisechoicellc
- Linkedin: wisechoicellc
- Twitter: wise_choicellc
- Youtube: theeconciouscounselor
Image Credits
Myron Fields
