Meet Kennyetta Watkins | Licensed Professional Counselor & Podcast Host

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

Hi Kennyetta, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is such a double-edged sword. In one way it is ridiculously scary and in the most important ways, it is necessary. When I was younger, I was so calculated in everything that I did. I analyzed, overthought and cared way too much over what other people thought and wanted. Now that I am older and have transitioned into my own business and found confidence in my own thoughts and needs, I am excited about risks and walk on faith in different endeavors in my life and career. It was a risk to start my own practice and let me tell you it was a mixture of fear, joy, grit, anger, excitement and pure adventure in the beginning. And the risks I have taken in my career have aligned with my personal goals and has molded me into a woman who is capable of anything despite the fear and doubt that has floated in my mind on this journey. The role of taking risks has transformed into trusting myself, ignoring the naysayers and believing in something that is much bigger than my goal. It has allowed a dream to venture into reality and create a space of its own in this world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My career journey started off so far from where I am at today, but if you were to ask me would I be anything else other than a therapist, I would have to tell you absolutely not. I was called to be a therapist. I am living and walking in my purpose and it took a while to realize what that would be and look like. I knew from a very young age, I wanted to help people. It first started out, wanting to be a pediatrician, but Chemistry kicked my butt and that career goal quickly changed before I even graduated high school. I love writing so I wanted to save the world, one word at a time by owning my own magazine and helping people like me tell their story not just gossip or celebrity news. I realized I didn’t like sensationalism in the world of journalism so I changed. Life happened and I realized being a therapist is what I was being led to do so after four long years studying another profession, I switched gears. The change was easy, the work and process was not so easy. I was a full-time employee and a full-time student in grad school. I lived on my own and was making pennies, but I put in long hours and made the necessary sacrifices and developed self-discipline. I would do it all over again. After I became a licensed therapist I made up my mine I wanted to start my own practice. SO the sacrifice and dedication continued, I saved money and wrote out my business plan. Looking back, it was a process and I had to practice patience. I worked a full time job while I was building my practice. I learned that when you trust the process and lean into your passion and your purpose, everything else aligns and falls in place like it is supposed to and you don’t have to worry about anything when you know what is yours. My brand and story speaks for itself: relentless. Relentless Counseling is a safe haven for individuals to flourish and thrive beyond pain and trauma.  I’ve created a space that allows people to lean into fear, to accept and choose peace in their lives and learn who they are on their personal journey. There is a reason certain jobs didn’t pan out or careers didn’t go as planned. It all led me to Relentless Counseling, it all led me to be the woman I am today. I am okay with no and I am also okay with the yes that came years later and that will be the same in the next season of my life, whether in my career or personal life. Each no I received was not easy, believe me, along this journey in my business and career, there have been many tears, but I chose to never quit and take it as lessons and learn from it. I love being a therapist and walking side by side with my clients as they become unapologetic of who they are and relentless towards every challenge they face.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area and they were here for a week long, they need to be prepared to be sick of me! I am going to take them everywhere and talk their head off! just kidding I don’t talk that much. Everyone know I love Mexican food, I can eat it everyday and if they leave the food up to me, we will definitely be eating Mexican at least 3 times out of the week and some Italian food. My best friend know our first stop would be Ponce City Market. It is my favorite place and I am always there every week. We will stop at my favorite Gelato shop and then walk over to Posman Books and spend probably an hour, more if it was up to me, looking at books discussing various topics from the book titles and just enjoying the vibes that, this particular bookstore bring. We would then go next door to heavenly foot massage and get one of the best 90 minute massage and just relax and soak in our quality time together. We will head over to felini’s for a big slice of pizza and have some wine. My best friend will probably sip on white wine and give me the Red!! I am a quality time girl so we would spend alot of time at the house cooking (some type of Mexican food) watching our favorite shows and catching up on life. I am a deep thinker so I am also a deep conversator. I may have made up my own word or I just don’t know how to spell. We will catch a movie or two and visit some old friends and connect as a group at a lounge or go watch a game somewhere. If we are lucky we can catch a good soulful concert at city winery!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One thing I can say about my story is that I have been blessed to be connected to some amazing people, books and organizations that has helped mold me and push me through every challenge and milestone in my life. Shoutout to my mom, dad, sisters, aunts, my grandparents who have passed down their legacy to me. To Jessica, my past clinical supervisor, my colleagues and my clients. It can’t be a shoutout if I don’t recognize God who has directed my path and never gave up on me even when there was a time, I gave up on myself.

Website: www.relentlesscounseling.com

Instagram: instagram.com/relentlesscounseling

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relentlesscounseling

Other: anchor.fm/kennyetta-watkins

Image Credits
Shots By Mikesmith