Kristy Christopher- Legend In The Making

According to the Merriam- Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of a Legend is, “A Person or Thing That Inspires.”

The title definitely holds true for Kristy Christopher. Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Kristy matriculated thru the Caddo Parish School system and has always been one who has dreamed way beyond her circumstances.


She attended Northwestern State University and majored in Nursing. Kristy flourished in the area of Nursing but there was a major turning point headed her way. “God has a way of working things out just because he can and I realized that being a Nurse was not my calling”, states Kristy.

She proceeded to change her major to Psychology and in 2003, she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. In an age where many people would have been satisfied with that Major accomplishment, Kristy had more lofty goals. She exclaims, “I absolutely love helping people and assisting them on being productive throughout their daily lives.”

Proving that no goal is too unbelievable to conquer, Kristy enrolled at Georgia State University and graduated with a M.S. in Professional Counseling. From her stature, she seems as though she is only a one dimensional human being but there is more to her than meets the eye. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is in private practice based out of Georgia.

She founded New Vision Counseling Center to offer individual, group and family therapy and counseling to children, adolescents as well as adults. Kristy is also a member of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia and is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also an active member with the Douglas-Carroll-Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter in Douglasville, GA.

Even with all the accolades and successes, Kristy Christopher has a wealth of knowledge in the area of believing in oneself. Recently, I was blessed to converse with Kristy and find out what is her motivation to continue being a Positive Role Model:

Kristy, Let me start off by saying, I am so excited to be speaking with you today?
Thank you, Darian. I am honored to even be considered.

First things first, Do we hear any wedding bells in the near future?
Yes. My darling hubby to be proposed, I accepted and I am over the moon. He is my rock and he totally loves me for me. I have been praying for a mate with those qualities and God does answer prayer. The big day will be May 15, 2010 and I can't wait.

Awesome, Tell us about the challenges you faced in the past and how you overcame them?
Well, like most teens, I did have self esteem problems and I honestly didn’t realize a lot of it until I became older. I was raised in a single parent household until my mother remarried. Life was not always great but it wasn't bad either.

I've also suffered some hard times as an adult. I've experienced hurt, been depressed, angry, confused and so on. Therefore, I can totally relate to my clients when they are confronted with the same. I've used my life lessons as opportunities of growth rather than harboring on past mistakes and continuously beating myself up for them.

Share with the readers your experience in dealing with people from different walks of life and how you deal with them one on one?
My experience includes working with children, adolescents and young adults and also providing individual, group and family therapy. I also specialize in working with those who have experienced trauma and abuse. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization), which can be used to treat troubling symptoms, such as anxiety, guilt, anger, depression, panic, abuse, self esteem and flashbacks that are the result of traumatic experiences.

EMDR is also beneficial to those who have a difficult time verbally expressing themselves, identifying emotions or who want to try something different from traditional “talk therapy”.

Who do you consider to be your hero?
Hands down would be my mom, who has encountered her share of challenges but has overcome them as well. I also am honored by anyone who is taking care of business in a responsible manner.

Being that we live in such stressful times, how do you escape those moments?
I have a hard time recognizing when I am stressed, simply because I am always grinding and on the go. However, once I do recognize it, I try to nip it quickly and create an outlet from it all. I usually talk to people I trust, watch TV, read, or even sleep to deal with stress. And let me also say, even therapist have hard times as well.

As far as challenging times, it really depends. I may see it as a challenge and go for it. Other times I ask myself how I can get through it all and then apply all that I have learned from the situation. I create a plan and execute it from there.

How do you handle critics and their opinions?
Simple- I Keep it moving! I understand that everyone cannot understand my vision or plan and that's Ok. I realize that it's not for them anyway and they can’t walk in my shoes either. I try not to get mad at them and I also realize that everyone is not business minded, dedicated, focused or a risk taker.

I strive daily to surround myself with people who will inspire me and keep me going. There are times when someone says something negative or isn't as supportive or outright tells me they are jealous of me. That alone just motivates me to keep going and strive to become better. I'm doing this for me and my future...my legacy! I do value people’s opinions but I may not always take it to heart.

What is one thing that has kept you grounded over the years and kept you humble?
God, family and good honest friends. I also try to learn from others and what they have encountered. I'm very observant, so I watch and learn and often try to get something out of it, be it good or bad. My mom has always told me I was humble and I am sure there are times where I've gotten a "big head" but I understand the following:

1. I didn't do this on my own.
2. I can always loose what I have if I take it for granted
3. I have to lead by example.

These things deflate the big head real quickly.

What would you say to encourage a young woman pursing her goals of being a Therapist?
Figure out if this is really what you want to do, then go for it, regardless of your career goals. Make sure you have worked through or in the process of working through your own personal issues and remember- “Hurting People Hurt People and Healthy People Help People.”

Don't hold onto the "I have to save the world" mentality. Many therapists and those in helping professions think that way but it will cause burnout really fast. Get a mentor, someone you trust and that will promote growth in you. Many people think there is no money in social services, but if you set your mind to grow, you can do that and so much more.

Remember you are human too. So many times I've heard, "you're a therapist, you shouldn't have any problems". Don't get caught up in that and also remember that you can't help anyone if you're in denial of your own struggles and challenges.

What are you doing and what are your goals to give back to the community?
I partner with the local Boys and Girls Clubs and I also partner with the local Youth against Violence Program. I understand that everyone who needs therapy cannot always afford it, so often times I offer promotions and specials to assist those in need.

I believe in my African American community and I also believe in breaking the stigmas associated with mental health, so I work really hard to educate and break barriers within our community.

Where do you see yourself in the next Five years?
My goal is to have a group private practice as well as having 2 locations offering counseling services. I plan to help newer therapists grow personally and professionally. I also see myself as a doting mother to my children and also be financially independent in the area of entrepreneurship.

Well Kristy, It has certainly been a pleasure to speak with you. I am so excited about your future and on behalf of Legends,Icons and Role Models, I thank you for sharing with our readers!
Thank You Darian. It has been an honor as well and much success to you.

Kristy has presented workshops on African Americans and Mental Health, Anger and Forgiveness, Healthy Relationships and Teen Dating Violence. She has also developed group curriculum's that focus on Mother-Daughter Relationships, Teen Girl Awareness and She’s Too Young (adolescent issues). In addition, Kristy has facilitated trainings on working with Oppositional/Conduct Disorders, Family Systems, and Sexual and Physical Abuse. She has been a featured guest on Blog Talk Radio. (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/).

Kristy is also the referring therapist for Douglas County’s Youth Against Violence program hosted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

If you would like more information regarding New Vision Counseling Center, LLC or would like to schedule your confidential appointment, please contact help@newvisioncounselingcenter.com or call 678-838-8333.

Even with all the aforementioned accomplishments and success, I find that Kristy Christopher is a Humbled, Honest and determined woman of Faith.

And that makes her a “Legend in the Making.”

http://www.newvisioncounselingcenter.com/
help@newvisioncounselingcenter.com