Meet ASIA GRIGSBY | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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

Hi ASIA, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is remembering my “why”. Therapy is currently increasing in demand, but I continue to reflect on how my work is making a difference in our community, specifically the black community, even during the busiest times. There are studies in the early phases that indicate that depression and anxiety have increased significantly during the pandemic, which have resulted in an increase in people seeking therapy services in the past year. My belief is that being a therapist is a lifestyle and providing a safe space for others to work towards healing is my purpose in this life. When others feel your sincerity and authenticity behind the work that you do, they will continue to support your brand with no hesitation. During times when I feel overwhelmed with the fullness of my schedule, I’m able to practice self-care and gratitude for my ability to create a space for others to feel safe and heard, which ultimately helps me remember my “why”.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Key Counseling and Family Services began in May 2020 and it has been thriving. It has been such a blessing for me to reach others in this capacity. I am the owner and therapist for Key Counseling and Family Services. I am a Licensed clinical social worker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I work with people with a wide range of treatment areas, including, but not limited to, life transitions, grief and loss, gender identity issues, self-esteem, attachment issues, relational issues, stress, spirituality, women’s issues, and emotional disturbances. I mostly work with women and adolescents, who are hoping to find understanding and coping strategies related to these areas. Although I work with a wide range of treatment areas, my first goal with clients is to build trust and safety in the therapeutic space. For some people, they are experiencing therapy for the first time and I always ensure to make them feel comfortable and be relatable in this space. I hope to expand my practice with additional therapists, who share the same vision with me as it relates to the impact I hope to make in the community.

I get excited about the strength and tenacity that my clients report that they feel after every session. I stress and emphasize the importance of self-care and how the body will communicate the lack of self-care over time. When I discuss self-care with my clients, some of them are able to recognize that they aren’t designating the time to prioritize time for self-care in their busy, daily routines. As time progresses in a client’s treatment process, they begin to feel a certain level of strength, just by prioritizing their own self-care. I understand the importance of self-care because I had my own scary experience when I wasn’t caring for myself properly. I look forward to these stories and seeing the progress in each of my clients related to this area.

I can say I am most proud of the safe space I have created for the clients of color, who I meet with in my therapy practice. For majority of my clients of color, they have struggled with seeking a therapist because in the African-American community, it’s always been encouraged that you pray about your issues, rather than seeking external help, outside of your church community. I have so many African-American clients, who have shared their appreciation for the safety and trust that has been created during their therapy sessions with addressing prayer and action as a strategy to heal from their pain and struggles. For some people, having a therapist, who “looks like them” makes them feel more encouraged to work through their challenges while still respecting their spiritual selves. I am honored to be a part of each of their journey of healing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I live in the Louisville area, I would take my best friend several places. I would take them to….

The Louisville Slugger Museum
The Louisville Science Center
The Frazier Museum
Churchill Downs
The Muhammad Ali Museum

I would take them in the Highlands area to choose from the latest local restaurants and walk around to see some of the local shopping stores. I would also take them to the Nulu area, which is an up and coming area in the downtown Louisville area with various local restaurants and shops.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shout-out to my parents, grandparents, and my sister. Their love and support for my career and overall brand has been the most consistent source in my life. The name and inspiration behind my business name, Key Counseling and Family Services, is dedicated to my aunt Shawn, who passed away suddenly in 2019, who told me that I have the key to anything I want in this life, which ultimately inspired me to provide a space for others to help them recognize their “key” in this life.

I also want to dedicate this shout-out to my dear friend and therapist mentor, Tangi Jones. She is the first black therapist I met over 10 years ago, who modeled that it is ok to bring yourself into the therapy room with clients, which makes you more relatable to them, especially as a black woman working with our own community. She taught me that bringing your own style in the therapy room creates a sense of safety and can allow a client’s guard to “come down” in that therapeutic space. She is always professional and ethical, but adds her own flavor when implementing therapy. Thank you for your inspiration, Tangi.

Instagram: @keycounseling2020

Image Credits
Photography: AJLENZ photography (Amber Grigsby) Logo: Denisha McCauley