Meet Laquisha Moore | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

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

Hi Laquisha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was that I wanted to work in a way that was best for me and my children, having complete autonomy and time freedom. I also knew that my sexual trauma program, Levitate 4 Life, would help a lot of people and if I did not make money off of it, someone else would. Ultimately, I wanted to be able to help survivors of sexual violence because I have been one. It is my own story that lit a fire in me to do this work.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is Levitate, located in Louisville, Kentucky. Levitate is a trauma-focused multidisciplinary mental health services provider specializing in sexual and racial trauma, addiction, and behavior modification. Levitate provides individual and group therapy dynamics to promote mental wellness, emotional resiliency, psychosocial rehabilitation, and post-traumatic growth.

When I was 22 years old, I was one of four victims in a child sex abuse case related to sexual abuse I experienced between the ages of 12-15 years old. The experience left me feeling isolated and I really did not know where to turn. Lucky for me, I was able to know the feeling of justice as my abusers were sentenced to 40 years in prison. For years, I had planned to go to law school but it was during my practicum at a youth detention center that I realized I wanted to help people without all of the politics. After obtaining my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spalding University, I started working for a counseling agency, Associates in Counseling and Psychotherapy, as a case manager and a recovery coach. It was there that I fell in love with mental health. So, I went to University of Louisville to pursue a clinical psychology degree. However, that program was not set up for a non-traditional student such as myself; a mother. I quit that program. Then, I got pregnant with my second child. When she was 4 months old, I started school again at Lindsey Wilson College and went to college for two years on the weekends. I also graduated 4 months pregnant with my third child! So, it was definitely challenging! What I learned is that when you are divinely meant to do something, there are no barriers, only obstacles.

I noticed once I became a mental health therapist that most of my clients had experience sexual trauma. Coupled with my own experience as a survivor of sexual violence, I understood the need for supportive services. It was then that I created a 6-month sexual trauma program called, Levitate 4 Life, a group dynamic therapy to help survivors of sexual trauma explore, understand, and heal from the psychological effects of sexual trauma. What I want the world to know about Levitate is that it is a brand devoted to becoming your highest self in spite of the undertakings of life and I am dedicated to lighting the way for others. Levitate means rise or cause to rise and hover in the air, especially by means of supernatural or magical power. I believe the only way is UP.

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 I had a friend visiting the area and wanted to show them the best time ever, we would probably start with breakfast at Le Moo. They have the best shrimp and grits and mimosas. We would visit my twin sister because she is always a vibe and also one of the best chefs in the city and owner of Quita’s Quisines. We would go to the Louisville Comedy Club and afterwards hang out at The Gruv because it is my favorite clubs in Louisville

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to one of my best friends, Jhermel Holt. She has been a huge source of encouragement in my life. When I quit school in undergrad, she pushed me to go back and made me believe in myself again. We graduated high school together and graduate school together. We are also pursuing business together. I want to furthermore acknowledge Sandra and Warren Eley for being my refuge and a major source of my own healing. I want to acknowledge my mother, Kimberly Moore for teaching me what it looks like to be resilient. Last but not least, I want to shoutout my clinical mentors, Dana Lemon and Perry Blair, for helping me to develop professionally.

Website: https://levitate.clientsecure.me

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