Meet Amariah Love | Educator, Consultant, Writer, & Professional Counselor

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

Hi Amariah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business was a deeply personal decision rooted in my values and experiences. In my 20s, I realized that traditional boss/employee relationships, with their inherent power dynamics, didn’t align with my desire for autonomy. I’ve always valued the freedom to dictate how I spend my time and energy, and I found it challenging to thrive in environments where that autonomy was restricted.

After spending several years dedicated to grassroots activism, I transitioned to full-time work with the goal of supporting my aging family members and younger brother. During this time, I came to understand that for work to feel truly fulfilling, it needed to make a positive impact on my community. I took stock of my strengths and values and recognized that working for myself was the best path forward. Becoming a counselor offered the perfect blend of meaningful work and the autonomy I craved. It allowed me to build a career where I could be my own boss, make a difference in people’s lives, and maintain control over my schedule and work life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Amariah Love Counseling, LLC is distinct in its focus on providing supportive, affirming care to marginalized groups, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community, those in non-traditional relationships such as polyamory and kink, and individuals with chronic illnesses. What sets me apart is that I’m not just an ally to these communities—I’m a member. I identify as queer, non-binary, polyamorous, disabled, demisexual, and kinky, which gives me a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges my clients face.

I’m incredibly proud of the positive changes I’ve witnessed in my clients’ lives. Many have made significant strides in self-acceptance, self-esteem, and self-love, developing the ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries, and learning practical skills to improve their relationships, self-care, and communication. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is helping clients align their lives with their core values, enabling them to live authentically and with greater fulfillment.

I’m particularly proud of my work with transgender clients at all stages of their transition journeys. Supporting clients as they navigate these deeply personal and transformative experiences has been some of the most rewarding work I’ve done. Watching them grow in self-awareness, confidence, and happiness is incredibly gratifying.

The path to establishing my private practice wasn’t easy. In the beginning, I worked two additional jobs while building my practice under the mentorship of Tom Query at Wellspring Counseling, Coaching, and Transitions Center. Tom is a true hero in my story. He removed the substantial financial barriers that often prevent new counselors from starting a private practice right out of grad school. He generously allowed me to use his office space, provided free supervision, and didn’t take a percentage of my fees, which enabled me to establish a thriving practice within just two years—a remarkable feat in this field.

Balancing three jobs was challenging, but it was absolutely worth it. Once I built a sufficient caseload, I was able to quit my other jobs and focus solely on my practice. It wasn’t easy, but I was fortunate to find a niche quickly. There was a significant demand in Atlanta for counselors knowledgeable about polyamory and other non-traditional relationship structures, and I was able to meet that need. Thanks to excellent training, my natural aptitude for therapy, and word-of-mouth referrals, my practice grew rapidly, even without spending on marketing.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that being a counselor who often feels like a bit of a wreck myself is a wildly interesting and surreal experience. Despite this, I believe I excel in my work as a counselor, consultant, sensitivity reader, and educator. Over the years, I’ve realized that much of what I learned in grad school wasn’t entirely accurate, and I’ve developed serious concerns about the medical model we’re taught as mental health clinicians. I’m passionate about challenging the ableism inherent in the medical model, particularly within the DSM. I’m committed to starting conversations about the importance of changing the language we use to discuss neurodiversity and neurospecific traits, behaviors, and adaptations to ensure they are affirming and inclusive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Given the challenges I face due to my connective tissue disorder, my best friend and I would likely stay close to home, which fortunately is near the charming downtown Avondale Estates. I tend to host friends in the comfort of my home or venture out to nearby spots that accommodate my needs.

For dinner, we’d definitely visit Arepa Mia, one of my favorite local spots. Their delicious arepas are a must-try, and the cozy atmosphere makes it a perfect place to unwind. Afterward, we might visit Second Life, a fantastic thrift store that donates to local nonprofits for animals in need.

Then we’d take a leisurely stroll to the Avondale Green, a lovely park just around the corner. The park is a great spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and it features an outdoor stage and a flat, grassy space that’s ideal for some flow time with my hoops. I’d bring along my Bluetooth speaker, and we’d spend some time enjoying the music and playing with my hoops in the open air.

This simple but fulfilling itinerary is perfect for spending quality time with a friend while enjoying the best of what Avondale Estates has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my Aunt Joey, who has been the most constant and steadfast presence in my life. She helped raise me alongside my grandparents after they gained custody of me and my two younger siblings when I was six years old. Although she was only 19 when I was born, she stepped into a caregiving role, looking after us after school, during the summers, and even leading my Girl Scout troop for about seven years. In many ways, she’s been the closest thing I’ve had to a mother since mine passed away when I was 21. My mother, Kelli, was Aunt Joey’s sister, and losing her was an incredibly painful experience that caused deep rifts within my family. Despite the distance that grief created, Aunt Joey and I eventually reconnected, and since then, she has been my rock.

Aunt Joey’s love and support have been unwavering, even in the face of her own challenges. She has been living with chronic illnesses, including Lupus and Ankylosing Spondylitis, for over 30 years, yet she has always been there to help me cope with my own health struggles. When I was a teenager dealing with chronic bladder pain and the fear and anxiety that came with invasive medical procedures, Aunt Joey was the one who held my hand and comforted me, never dismissing or minimizing my pain.

As I’ve grown older and finally received a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS, and MCAS—26 years after my symptoms began—Aunt Joey has been my fiercest advocate. She has fought alongside me, ensuring I receive the care and treatment I need, even when the medical system and insurance companies made it difficult. The last few years have been some of the hardest of my life, as I’ve dealt with the sudden progression of my illnesses, which have led to three surgeries, left me permanently disabled, and severely impacted my ability to work.

During these challenging times, Aunt Joey has been my anchor. When I’ve wanted to give up, she has been there to remind me of my strength. She’s been my advocate, my confidante, and my emotional support, helping me navigate not only my health challenges but also the personal upheavals that have come with them. I am more grateful to her than words can express. Aunt Joey’s love and dedication have been the foundation upon which I’ve been able to build and rebuild my life, no matter how many times it has fallen apart.

Website: https://amariahlove.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/amariahlove

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amariah-love/

Facebook: https://fb.me/amariahlovecounseling