Meet Kayla Argo | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Argo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from Madison County, GA, which neighbors Athens-Clarke County where I currently work and live. My background has a huge impact on me and where I am today. Madison County is very rural and a lot of its residents have been there for generations. My mother is a sibling of 8 and my grandparents both had over ten siblings. Most of my mom’s side still all live on the same driveway, and the city I’m from is so small it no longer has the one red light since it was changed into a roundabout. My family has worked manual labor most, if not their entire, lives. It seemed like my parents always figured out how to get by but money was a constant stressor. The work ethic I have comes from my family, especially my mom and dad, for modeling perseverance and hard work. They hold traditional southern values – specifically that family is important and you work hard for what you want to gain.

I am the first person in my family to graduate high school and graduate from college. When I first decided to attend college, my family was a little confused by me wanting to move away, travel, and go outside our family norms, but now they are very supportive in my goals. I remember being in high school and thinking that college was not in my cards. Then it was, “There’s no way I’ll get accepted into graduate school” and for the last couple of years it was, “Okay, seriously I’ve exceeded my luck – I cannot start my own business.” My upbringing was about being outside, being around family, and learning a lot of life skills (how to change a tire, fishing, etc.). But when growing up a certain way, especially in a rural town, it was hard for me to even vision living a different life for myself even though that want was there. It was especially hard to imagine myself having a financially comfortable life with “nicer” things or privileges. Luckily, that fear was smaller than the support I had (and have) alongside my drive to want more, to be better for myself and my family, and do scary (and exciting) things!

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m really proud to talk about my upbringing and how it shaped the way I show up in my work today. I can relate to what it feels like to be judged for what you’re wearing or to not feel like you fit in certain spaces—and that experience has deeply influenced how I create my practice. I strive to make my space comfortable and inclusive for clients.
My path to opening my own practice wasn’t linear. It was challenging but I do feel fortunate for things seeming to always work out. I’ve worked in a variety of roles since I was 16 starting in fast food and customer service. After college, I worked in a residential treatment program, which led me to pursue graduate school and complete internships with DFCS and a group private practice. I stayed with that practice for a couple of years before transitioning into school counseling. Most recently, I made the leap into opening my own private practice full-time, which was definitely a scary decision. Leaving the security of a salaried position to go back to being self-employed brought up all the usual fears—but I had to practice what I preach to my clients: there’s growth in being uncomfortable.
One of the bigger lessons I learned is when I connected the dots. That being, I often felt like my clients and I were up against barriers neither of us could control due to the larger systems I was working in. Opening my own space has allowed me to offer care in a way that feels more human, flexible, and work in a way that aligns with my professional values. Another big lesson I’ve learned is that the more I grow professionally, the more I realize how much I still don’t know. Over time, I’ve released the pressure to be the “perfect” clinician and embraced being more authentic. I’m constantly evolving, both personally and professionally. I’ve also learned the power of holding clients accountable in a compassionate way. It’s not about rescuing people—it’s about helping them see their own agency and capability. That shift in mindset has been one of the most empowering changes for both clients and myself.
At the end of the day, I’m just another human navigating life alongside my clients. I’ve always been a deep thinker and feeler, and I take pride in the work it’s taken to get where I am today. I hope my practice reflects that—offering authenticity, competence, and a genuine desire to help people move toward the life they want.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a loved one was visiting for a week, Athens is full of different vibes depending on the mood one is in. The area is great for supporting other local businesses — good food, live music, and a bunch of chill, local spots that make every day a little different. My fiancé and I love grabbing dinner at Clocked or Trapeze downtown. After that, we might walk over to Rook and Pawn for drinks and nostalgic board games—it’s such a fun, laid-back place to bring out our inner kid. We’d definitely spend some time outdoors. Athens may be a small city, but it has great green spaces. We’d take our dogs out to Southeast Clarke Park or stroll along the greenway. We might play co-ed tennis or softball at Bishop Park with our regular scheduled group of people. We also love getting our workouts in at Fitness @ Five, which is locally owned and has everything you need. At some point, we’re for sure hitting a local brewery like Creature Comforts, Terrapin, or Athentic, especially if there’s live music. Athens has such a solid music scene, and catching a show at 40 Watt or Georgia Theatre is a must if the timing’s right.
No two days have to look the same. Whether you’re feeling super social or just want to grab a coffee and people-watch, there’s always a good option—and good people—to make it a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of people in my corner along this journey.
To my mom and dad, thank you for being hard working, loving, and fun parents! I am who I am today because of you and all your selfless sacrifices you made to give me the life I’ve had.
To high school teachers, college professors, and colleagues I have today, I’m lucky to have learned from you, be encouraged, and be inspired.
To the Osbornes (which include my fiance, my future sister in law and childhood bestfriend, and their two parents) – thank you for giving me a second family! Your love, support, and influence goes farther than you know.

Website: https://kaylaargocounseling.com

Instagram: @kaylaargocounseling