We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kisha Walwyn-Duquesnay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kisha , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
At first I didn’t. I grappled with self-comparison, feeling perpetually behind my peers in the pursuit of success. Even when I tried what they tried, to get to where they got, it still didn’t land where they did, I continually fell short. As a licensed psychotherapist, I clung to the illusion that I needed further certifications and seminars before venturing into my true purpose of helping people. Eventually, I recognized that readiness would never materialize; I needed to act. Through prayer and reflection, I discerned that my true calling was in full-time private practice. Embracing progress over perfection, I now understand that the journey itself, not the destination, is where the impact is. An impact I can leave on the people I help through therapy. This mindset fuels my ability to assist others and instill hope in their journeys. I’m anchored by my support system who challenges my doubts and constantly reminds me of my why. Because of this, I can keep going forward with unwavering dedication to my purpose.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Kisha. I’m a psychotherapist and I help women overcome Imposter Syndrome so they can have less depression and anxiety in their day, through weekly virtual therapy sessions. Optimisticcounseling.com is a virtual psychotherapy private practice equipping women with clinically driven tools to overcome Imposter Syndrome, so they can have less anxiety and depression in their day. For more than 10 years, the Optimistic Counseling Practice has been on a mission to empower women to rewrite their own narratives of success and happiness, so they can finally achieve the life they’ve always dreamed of. By defying the toxic social pressure that makes them second-guess if they’re doing enough, women confidently reclaim their worth and own their accomplishments.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1.I try to catch myself having negative thoughts by challenging them with my accomplishments and the lives I’ve changed in therapy thus far. 2. Making time for prayer and self-reflection: That’s when I got the revelation that if I had to choose between walking away from a secure career and walking away from private practice, I only felt regret around the idea of walking away from private practice.
3.Bet on yourself: Don’t be afraid to look dumb in the pursuit of the life you’ve always wanted. We all gotta start somewhere. That feel is temporary. You living in your full potential is permanent.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Definitely! I’m excited to establish long term partnerships with businesses and brands that align with my values as a mental health advocate. So contact me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/optimisticcounseling?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#317941868
- Instagram: https://tr.ee/fFNqaj-b_J
- Linkedin: https://tr.ee/2vTl57c25j
- Youtube: https://tr.ee/ZvAmVk3x-v
- Other: https://tr.ee/BBuLPZ1iWk
