We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Aletha Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Aletha, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
As a young child I was typically the tallest kid in the class. Some even called me the jolly green giant. These repetitive comments, led to me feeling insecure, resenting being born tall and even having no desire to wear heels or clothes that would look better with them. After sharing my insecurities with my mom, she began to introduce me to beautiful tall women in her circle. Not only were they tall, beautiful and stylish, but they were confident in their skin. Though it was their appearance that initially drew me to them, it was their mindset that shifted my perspective. I realized that these women were confident in who they were and determined to overcome the negativity of others by fulfilling their purpose in all aspects of their lives. Because of this, I was able to witness them walk in the room and shift the atmosphere.
As a result, I began to focus on the benefits of being tall. For example, long legs move quicker. In my early school years I could walk down any girl or boy while racing in the streets and later on the track. Additionally, being tall makes you carry your weight differently. So I always looked much lighter than I actually weighed. As I matured, I realized people’s comments about my height were less about me and more reflective of their own insecurities. As my confidence grew, I began to confidently take up positive space in the room. I began to share my intellectual ideas and people began to listen. Young ladies began to gravitate toward me. People began to seek my counsel. More importantly, I finally realized that the shift in my confidence happened because I made a choice to stop seeking affirmation from others. Instead, I began seeking affirmation from God, who proclaimed that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
As I became more confident, I began to set healthy boundaries because I was no longer afraid of what others would think. I began to gravitate toward women who were struggling with their identity and mental health issues. I felt pulled to create an atmosphere of empowerment in my community. My passion to build a community of women who would not be competitive but collaborative was ignited. I wanted to teach women practical ways to identify their own superpower by prioritizing their mental, physical and spiritual needs.
Not only did I realize that I needed community, but I realized there were so many other women who needed community too. I was not alone. I consistently came across women who were seeking misguided affirmation because of their insecurities.Ultimately, this negatively impacted their ability to develop healthy boundaries and often led to untreated mental health problems. So getting my doctorate degree in psychology was the icing on the cake. I could now gain the formal training to do what I was created to do.
If I had to choose one thing that contributed to me being more confident, I would say, realizing I was not alone. There is so much power in community. And this insight led me to embrace my unique purpose, unique fingerprint and my unique calling. Once I did that, I realized there was no need to compete because there was a lane created just for me. And I’m boldly walking in it as Dr. Aletha Miller.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a psychologist by trade, but it’s my authenticity that allows me to connect in a way that ensures people feel encouraged and empowered. It’s no coincidence that my initials are AM, because there is great value in knowing who I “AM”. When I work with clients, I help them identify who they are, but I also do more than that. I help them grow into the person they were designed to be. I have the unique ability to identify other’s strengths and transform them into superpowers. Anyone who meets me is marked by my ability to draw purpose from potential to create something powerful. I specialize in the intersection of the Bible and psychology. While subtle, I seamlessly integrate biblical principles and core mental health strategies. I use practical application from both fields to assist people with embracing their own superpower, which then enables them to effectively conquer life’s challenges. I am currently breaking down barriers by teaching women to embrace their own superpowers, while celebrating the superpowers of others. It’s when we combine our superpowers that lives are changed.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) The ability to set and respect boundaries – Setting healthy boundaries is vital to success. Seek out reciprocal relationships; emotional vampires prevent you from fulfilling your purpose. Anyone who does not respect your boundaries is not concerned about your success. So don’t hesitate to separate yourself from them.
2) The ability to prioritize mental health needs – Something as simple as maintaining self care can help you function more optimally in your roles as mothers, wives, bosses, sisters, and friends. Self care is a selfess, not a selfish, act.
3) Having confidence in your superpowers, while celebrating others’ superpowers – When you do this, you can focus on collaborating with others rather than competing against them.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My target audience consists of women who are seeking to discover their inner strengths, break free from limitations, and create meaningful connections with others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Dr.alethamiller
- Facebook: Aletha R. Miller
Image Credits
Photographer: Briele Chanel
Hair Stylist: MimiJ, The Pixie Cafe
Fashion Stylist: Feleecia Turner, BrownStone Experience
Make-up Artist: MUA Tasha Renee
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