Meet Dr. Laklieshia Izzard: Licensed Professional Counselor & Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Laklieshia Izzard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Laklieshia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
I would have to say making the decision to continue moving forward no matter what comes across my path. Moving forward in the face of challenge and adversity is never easy. However, once you have made the intentional decision to move forward there is a tenacious drive that pushes you forward despite the obstacles. Moving forward is what gets you to the finish line to become a success. I have been blessed to be a success in many areas to name a few becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, Doctor of Education, Entrepreneur, Professor, and served as a founding president for the American Counseling Association of Georgia. These areas of success continue to shape new successes and levels of leadership in my life. Moving forward has helped me to discover my potential and higher heights of opportunity. I am grateful for the success principle of moving forward and making the decision to do it at such a youthful age. Moving forward despite the obstacles keeps me focused on being my best self!

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?
I am the owner of Shekinah Counseling where my expertise areas are counseling, consulting, speaking, training, supervision, and mentorship. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and Tri Care Mental Health Counselor. I love my business because it’s my own and I have been able to sculpt my business the way I want. I see clients nationally and globally. I train across the state of Georgia and nationally on Mental Health, Counseling, Self-Care, Stress Management, Leadership Development and much more. I provide career consulting, growth mindset development, and mentorship by embracing one’s gift areas. I conduct counselor supervision and supervision evaluation for students, professionals, and counseling internship sites. What sets my practice apart I believe, is the virtual component as all my services are virtual except for by request face to face training/presentations which will resume post COVID. I am most pleased that I was able to develop a virtual entrepreneurship mentality! The American Counseling Association publication Counseling Today did an interview article on me in its July 2020 edition titled Embracing Virtual Entrepreneurship in this article I shared that my inspiration for starting my own business was quality of life and self-care. Truly having a Virtual Business has allowed me to prioritize career life balance! When COVID started my business increased quickly. I have been able to help so many clients globally and provide even more trainings virtually. As a first-generation female Entrepreneur, I had no blueprint to follow. I utilized mentors, former professors, entrepreneurship seminars, success books like Steve Harvey’s ACT LIKE SUCCESS THINK LIKE SUCCESS and most significantly my faith to guide me in business decisions. I am continuing to grow in business, and I learn new lessons every day. My most valuable lesson I have learned thus far in business and life is not to take short cuts. Anything worth having is worth going through the process!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This my entertainment itinerary for myself and guest post COVID Upscale dining: Pappadeaux Seafood in Lawrenceville Ga Shopping: Perimeter Mall in a shopping mall in Perimeter Center, Dunwoody, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta History: Auburn Library on Auburn Ave in Atlanta has unique African American Culture information and events Comedy: Suite Food Lounge in Atlanta Faith: Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain Ga Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Support System: Mother Lita Izzard, Father James Evans, Uncle Clarence Izzard, Pastors Dr. Kerwin Lee, Philip Nash, and Wayne Robinson for instilling wisdom and direction in my life!

Website: shekinahcts.com

Instagram: drklieshiaizzy

Linkedin: Dr. Klieshia Izzard

Twitter: drklieshiaizzy

Facebook: @shekinahccts

Image Credits
Lisa photos (professional shot)