Meet Kaylan Maloney

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kaylan Maloney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kaylan, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I am often the youngest, or on that side of the scale, in professional settings. I was never intimated because I knew what I knew. I appreciate more knowledge, insight, and perspectives so that’s how I see these spaces. They are an opportunity to understand others’ perspectives. Based on that, I provide my take on the subject matter, confidently. I am careful how I sound to prevent the “angry black woman” stereotype, but I do not whisper. I am careful not to be bashful, but I do not shy away. These types of situations enhance my resiliency and my ability to display my expertise. Success, for me, has come from not just fitting into the room but also making space for others to follow and staying grounded in who I am and my purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am from South Carolina, but I have lived in a few different stated and have traveled a bit in my life. My mother is a kind, but very stern southern woman. My father is a Jamaican Rastafarian who is also stern, but very patient. My parents’ qualities shine brightly through me in so many ways. Even in some sessions, I reference some of their sayings and teachings. My childhood led me to becoming a therapist. I am a licensed mental health therapist in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. I enjoy my career because it seems to be my destiny, to be frank. I have known that I wanted to be a therapist since I was eight years old. I have no idea how I knew about therapists at that age, but I knew for sure that this was the only thing that I ever wanted to do. As I progressed through the necessary education requirements, board testing, etc., my love for my career evolved. I have worked with clients with various needs and diagnosis, such as Bipolar, Schizophrenia, anger management, anxiety, depression, and suicidality. The ability to positively impact people’s lives, help them reach their full potential, provide guidance through past traumas, or meet whatever a client’s needs are, is a very serious and vulnerable position to be in. One that I do not take lightly. One that I often feel honored to take part in. Client’s are the experts of their lives. I just assist with connecting the dots.
My business name, Irie Counseling Services, pays homage to my Jamaican culture. Irie is a calming feeling and a way of life. It’s like your grandparents who sit in their rocking chairs on the porch, drinking iced lemonade or sweet tea, watching the wonders of nature unfold in front of them. Calm. At ease. I found it important to have this as my business name for two reasons. One, to help break the stigma between the black community, especially Caribbean cultures, and mental health. I have gained Caribbean clients off the name alone. There’s relatability with the name. Secondly, to show a part of myself without showing my face. My culture is a part of my identity and I like to show it in special ways.
In the future, I hope to do speaking engagements and workshops for professionals and within the community. I have had great opportunities to train staff members on how to work with youths with mental health struggles. I have also hosted presentations about common mental health symptoms, healthy coping skills, and community resources. I enjoy sharing knowledge and learning. Mental health has come a long way regarding treatment and how people view it. I’d like to continue adding to that space.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Boundaries, patience, and empathy. Work-life balance and boundaries with individuals are key pieces to my career. I am a workaholic so I am constantly having to be conscious of my lack of prioritizing myself. As a result, I have broken out in hives, suffered from insomnia, migraines, and burnout. Needless to say, I have had to learn what balance looks like for me and fortunately, I’ve been able to do that. Boundaries help with not taking work home and even experiencing vicarious trauma. Also, clients tend to feel comfortable with safe spaces, as we need for the purpose of the therapeutic process, but with comfort comes loss of boundaries. So it is for us, as the counselors, to maintain said boundaries. Not only because it’s in our code of ethics, but also because maintaining a professional relationship keeps the focus on the treatment. For individuals who are early in their career, I would say it’s important to know what specialties they want to focus on. This ensures that they are able to effectively treat clients because it is within their line of scope. I will also say to be in this career, you have to be willing and able to do lifelong education. The world is rapidly changing and new studies are always being published. Therefore, it’s best practice that we continue educating ourselves as practicing clinicians.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My father and my mentor/good friend, Dr. Habiba Zaman. My dad is a one-of-a-kind man. He’s always been supportive of my career decision and even tried to learn some psychology with me when I was in undergraduate college. I learned my patience from my dad, which has been such a significant part of the journey. We cannot rush clients’ treatment. We work with clients, not force clients. With his patience, he’s able to help keep me grounded. His encouragement and excitement for me and my career is humbling. Dr. Habiba Zaman is a freaking genius in my book. She has taught me everything I know about growing my career and even what it looks like to have a career. Dr. Zaman and I have known each other for only five years, but we often say (and agree) that we have lived parallel lives. We are both research nerds, we’ve experienced a lot in our lives personally and professionally, and her professional wisdom is unmatched. She’s been in this field for over 20 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and is not hesitant to share. As she is a mentor to me, it has allowed me to be a mentor to others in this field.
My work with clients has also been instrumental—seeing their resilience and progress has reinforced my commitment to this field. Additionally, collaborating with other mental health professionals has helped me refine my techniques and expand my knowledge. Personal experiences and challenges have deepened my empathy, reminding me of the importance of ongoing growth and self-awareness in this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iriecounseling.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylan-maloney

Image Credits

Tasnia (Taz) Malek. Instagram: @atl_photographer