Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynda Cash.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2006, I found myself going through a transitional period in my life. I had a desire for another opportunity to pursue another one of my life missions. During this time, I belonged to a neighborhood women’s group who met monthly to play Bunco at each other’s home. I started off playing as a substitute and went on to become a regular member for many years. On one of our game nights, I was approached by a member of the group who was employed as a college university recruiter for the University of Phoenix and suggested that I pay her a visit for a career consultation. As a result of my going through a period of transition during this time of request, the request sounded very appealing. I took the recruiters invitation and scheduled an appointment for the following week.
After reviewing the university’s career catalog, I stumbled across the Master of Counseling degree job description. Upon observing the job description, I realized that I had experience with performing several of the tasks described under the description for the counseling program with an emphasis on Marriage, Family, and Child therapy. Two weeks later, I was enrolled in the 26-month master’s program.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were many challenges that came with my returning to college in my mid-40s while raising two teenage sons, ages 29 and 34. One of the main challenges was learning how to balance my personal life with my career and educational pursuits. Some of the other challenges faced during my pursuit of this degree involved financial obligations and other expectations associated with attending a university.
Some of the person of challenges experienced during my time studying at the university were; the rapid declined of my ex-husband’s health, forcing him into an early retirement. In 2014, during my years working as a marriage and family therapist intern, I also experienced the untimely death of my mother.
In August of that same year, I opened up my private practice in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. In October of the same year, my left ankle that was broken 10 years prior became infected, landing me 27 days in the hospital and having to undergo three surgeries, along with a year of recovery.
The following year, in February 2015, I relocated my private practice to a much larger office space in downtown San Bernardino, California. In May 2015, I was served with divorce papers after being together for 19 years and 16 years of marriage. In September 2016, my divorce was final.
In January 2021, I closed my private practice office in San Bernardino, California, due to the effects of the Coronavirus 2021, and relocated to Los Angeles. In 2022, I re-opened my virtual private practice.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am in private practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist. I have been working as a marriage family therapist since 2008 and in private practice since 2014. I am the mother of two great sons, ages 34 and 29. I work from home, providing virtual therapy services to families, couples, and individuals. I am known for providing therapy services to individuals who work in the television and music industry as a well as working with athletes.
My job duties include conducting initial consultations to gather client information; assessing clients’ emotional and mental health; developing treatment plans; helping clients explore their thoughts and feelings; intervening with emergency care, techniques, and protocols when clients are in crisis; referring clients for additional care of services and maintain detail confidential records.
I am most proud of being one of the few African American female licensed marriage, family therapist in the country. I consider it to be a great privilege and honor to be able to assist families, couples and individuals with establishing and maintaining new healthy life goals and perspectives in an effort to achieve and live the best quality of life that they desire.
I believe that one some of the things that sets me apart from other therapist is my ability to really empathize and make a connection with my clients to help them connect the dots between their overall living experience with their current state of being. This is one of the key components to the re-introduction of oneself.
I also specialize in providing an atmosphere where clients can feel safe, supported, heard, and validated to enhance the therapeutic experience.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Some of the advice that I would have for those who were just starting out would be to remain focused, be consistent, and always operate with integrity. Also, be mindful to maintain a self-care plan, set professional boundaries and maintain balance with your personal and career lives.
I have no regrets. Every day has been an amazing and exciting journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lynda-k-cash-glendale-ca/206445
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lkcash22?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-k-cash-lmft-77882179/
Image Credits
Dario Tejada
