Meet Odessa Young

We were lucky to catch up with Odessa Young recently and have shared our conversation below.

Odessa, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Purpose showed up in my life when I wasn’t looking for it. I have dealt with various adverse situations since birth, which included health issues, domestic violence, abuse, a stroke, multiple cars accidents, damage to my spine/back and neck. During my teenage years I dealt with multiple periods of severe depression. I attempted suicide and ended up in the hospital with a referral to a psychiatrist. After getting out of the hospital and working through therapy I started to realize how much I wanted to give others the same assistance that was given to me. I didn’t decide on becoming a therapist until I worked with children and adolescents through a mental health facility. This prompted be to obtain my Masters in Counseling and complete state requirements to be come a Licensed Professional Counselor for the state of South Carolina.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the owner of Othatsodessa.com LLC which allows me the opportunity to work my passion. I provide mental health therapy, motivational speaking, sell my books and encourage my community one person at a time. I am focused on helping those seeking healing and a positive change in their lives. I know how hard it is to first admit you need help and then have the courage to ask for help. It is my goal to continue to help break the stigma associated with mental illness. Change is difficult and necessary to become the person you are designed to be. My book O Survival by Grace is available on Amazon along with my poetry collaboration Poetic Outpour. Books can also be purchased directly through me. I am the most excited when I get to see a person become empowered to make better decisions in life and continue to heal from past experiences. There can be joy after loss and beauty after destruction.

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?

Persistence, self-awareness and courage have been the most beneficial qualities for me on my journey. I have known from an early age that I would not just be in one career my whole life. I am energized when learning different things, works with a diverse group of people and being true to my authentic self. I have worked to grow my skills to be serve my preferred population along with expanding to see others outside of my comfort zone to develop more skills. I encouraged people to take one small step at a time, which requires being vulnerable, open to change and uncomfortable. I walk with those who allow me to accompany them on their journey to better. I offer a safe place to discuss hidden secrets, personal truths and outline present/future goals. When you start to feel your desires change and old things no longer bring the same pleasure of comfort, take a new step towards a better you.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My tribe of family, friends and business associates have helped me with overcoming my challenges. I have a wonderful group of people who allow me to show up without explaining who I am. They have walked me through dark times, moments of loss/sadness and cheered for me when I have hit various milestones along the way. My daughters have taught me what unconditional love really means and they give me daily inspiration to continue to provide the assistance I do. My have continuous opportunities to grow and enhance my skills which often comes through my tribe of someone connected to them giving me information/resources I didn’t have. My mom was a living example of how to overcome adverse situations until the day she gained her wings.

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