Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger Lavender Wilkerson, LMFT.
Ginger, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a young girl, I was the go-to friend that listened and provided nonjudgmental advice to my peers. Too many adults that mentored me, I was considered to “have wisdom beyond my years”. I felt inspired by the many empowering women I was surrounded by, and was reminded not to be defined by society expectations and instead set my own path and tap into my purpose. Because of these women, I know I am the women I am today.
Shortly after college, I realized how important it was for me to be the same example of passion, power, and purpose to the generations to follow. I took pride in volunteering for girl servicing groups and organization in order to give back lessons learned to the next generation.
As I began my career, I decided that I too, wanted to have a girl and women business that would catered to overall wellness, which included mental and emotional health. Due to my experience, I understood the interconnectedness of both physical and mental wellness in teen girls and women. In fact, there is a correlation of how one’s mental health can affect many other areas of your life. I began to focus and hone in on my expertise working with teens dealing with real-life issues that resulted in depression, anxiety, and overall impairments in their functioning. Due to my love for this age group, and my level of expertise, I began to attract many mothers and fathers who saw the value in supporting their teens with counseling and other wellness activities. Likewise, young adult women were drawn to my practice due to my multi-dimensional approach to counseling and my nontraditional methods of supporting women. This happens through empowerment, and defining purpose.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My greatest strength has been my ability to overcome challenges as it relates to building my practice. The challenges with becoming licensed and specialized in a niche, means some non-paid experience, volunteering and mentorships. The value and lessons learned from this experience was priceless, and allowed me to be trained by the best. Humility is what helped me to hone in on my skills. When I ventured out to start my own practice, I learned a lot of lessons from my business mistakes. Many of my challenges came from the lack of business knowledge. Starting a thriving business requires basic business skills, in marketing, finance, budget, etc. Once I enhanced my knowledge and skills in these areas I was able to continue to build my practice and set a solid foundation for growth.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ginger Lavender Therapy – what should we know?
Ginger Lavender Therapy is the more than a private counseling practice. It incorporates wellness of teen girls and women. The focus is on mental, social and emotional health. I support women with a variety of concerns which includes mental, physical and emotional health.
My practice specializes in the wellness of teen girls related mental health issues (depression, anxiety, bullying, adoptions, self-esteem, and parent/child relational concerns). I provided non-traditional and creative forms of therapy in order to reach and support young women. This includes forms of art, dance, music and poetry. There is a true connection between the mind and body. I also engage some of my clients in walk and talk therapy, in which we conduct our sessions outdoors and utilize nature as the backdrop to discuss client concerns. I offer online therapy for teens that experience anxiety, or that are unable to come into the office. For parents, I offer parent coaching to help them to manage and support their teens.
My practice is staffed with interns who carry out the mission of the practice. We provide individual and group counseling and specialty workshops and trainings. All of the services within my practice are to support girls and women to live their best life.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The qualities that I believe contributes the most to my success are the 3 P’s 1) my Passion for the work that I do, 2) the Power in which I do it and 3) my Purpose in life fulfilled. I am obligated to move differently and to ensure that the lives of young women are not overshadowed by doubt, shame, anxiety and hurt. This is my life’s work!
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling Services $150/session
- Group Counseling $50/session
- Speaking Engagements: please inquire
Contact Info:
- Address: 4000 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90807 - Website: www.gingerlavendertherapy.com
- Phone: 562-641-5638
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @gingerlavenderlmft
- Facebook: Ginger Lavender Therapy
- Other: @imprettypowherful
Image Credit:
Lakesha Wilson
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
