Meet Shakenya Burch-Oliver | Psychotherapist and Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shakenya Burch-Oliver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shakenya, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Initially, I wanted more autonomy in the way that I lived my life. I worked in community agencies that did some amazing work for the clients that they served and made a great impact in the community but the therapists were burned out and severely underpaid. I was one of them. I remember working as a therapist and not being able to afford one of my own. Even if I could afford one, I don’t think I would have had the time to meet with them. I would naturally gravitate to leadership roles but never felt great about helping to reinforce policies that didn’t prioritize the therapist as much as it did the clients. I always felt like most of the employees wanted to truly help their clients but they also wanted to have some balance in their own lives as well. Clients would suffer because the retention rate for therapists was low and therapists would be turned away from the profession. These experiences made me want to create my own space that would give me the experience I desired and eventually grow into something that would allow other therapists to experience something similar if they wanted it. This process has always felt spiritual and purposeful to me.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner of a mental health private practice, an adjunct professor, and a private practice consultant. The thing that I am most proud of with my practice is the focus on health and wellness for the clients and staff. It was always my vision to create a safe space for therapists where they were fairly compensated while also encouraged to practice what they preach to the clients they serve. I know that when they take care of themselves, they will be in a better position to take care of the clients that they service. I also wanted a safe space for minorities and marginalized individuals. I remember coming out of grad school and seeing how other cis hetero white therapists would get these amazing internships and jobs. I wanted to create a space where marginalized individuals could have the same experience and didn’t feel like they were the token or meeting a quota. Not saying that was always the case but I have heard quite a few stories. I’m working to create a space that has true diversity. I’m not there yet but I am working on it. I love that our clients can work with healthy therapists who also can identify with them. We offer a safe space for historically marginalized individuals to heal and unpack their trauma. We value training and development and adequate supervision. It hasn’t been an easy process for me. Starting out, I had no idea how to be a business owner and I never knew it would grow as much as it has in such a short amount of time. I have tried several times to quit or hinder the rapid growth but then I remember my why and something or someone reminds me of my why and I keep going. I love what I do but managing something like this also has its challenges. Hiring coaches and consulting with my mentors has been a great way to keep me on track. I continue to set healthier boundaries with myself and others which has been the greatest lesson for me. I used to think that creating this private practice was the thing that was going to help therapists in our field but I have learned that I can’t work with everyone in that capacity and everyone doesn’t want to or need to work for me to learn from me. That is why I have recently transitioned into coaching and consulting to help other up and coming therapists who want to transition to private practice or to a group practice. I’m providing the support I either got or needed to help the next.

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.
If my friend was visiting me for a week we would probably spend most days getting a great meal and a glass of wine. We would have to go to three blind mice for their Sunday brunch. We would need to go to Toast on Lenox for their amazing brunch as well. We would swing to Flatlands for some New Orleans themed food. I would have to take them to a curated experience by KS Venues and Rentals for a luxury picnic at Piedmont Park. We would need some exercise after all of the indulging so we would have to ride bikes on the Beltline and hit up a cycling class at Taddas Fitness. A visit to the High Museum would have to be on the agenda. We would end the week with relaxing facials from Advanced Skin Care Solutions in Peachtree Corners. Because rest is essential and I’m not a spring chicken anymore, we would sit around and watch some romantic comedies and chill. Being outside is cool but I love a chill day in as well to be present with my bestie.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could write a book based on this question. Every experience, good and bad, has contributed to my success. When I think of mentors who contributed to this, I think back to Natalie Elliott. She was the first supervisor I encountered who took the time to teach me about marketing and the first person who was vulnerable enough to show me that you could be a badass and still be growing and learning. She showed me genuine kindness and gave me a safe space to transition into private practice. I will forever be grateful for her and have tried my hardest to model that for therapists that I supervise and mentor. I also think back to my experience working for a black owned family company KES. I learned so much about leadership and networking and they were the first company to give me a paid job providing psychotherapy services. I also watched how they would take care of their employees and the clients that they served. My job at Family ties was one of those experiences that taught me so much about leadership and how to structure a business. They were also a black owned counseling agency whom I have deep respect for and have helped me develop a lot of the business practices I have today. My friends, family, and husband have all been my biggest cheerleader and I’m so grateful for them. Special shout out to my mother. Her strength and helping nature is something I try to alway model. My previous and current staff who have trusted me to lead them and show up for our clients and for themselves will always have my respect and support with whatever they do in this field. Hey Tiera, Charlene, Jaclyn, Patricia, Amber, Amina, Raichelle, Tasha, Calvin, and Kares. I also speak about purpose so I can’t forget God in this shout out. This is all a part of my purpose so I have to mention him.

Website: www.trust2change.com

Instagram: @trust2change and @heal_with_ken

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Image Credits
Headshots by Antoinne Duane Jones. Office shot by Zencare