Meet Amani Chambliss | Mental Health Therapist

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

Hi Amani, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was really trying to move out of the employee lifestyle to create my own career life that complements my personal life. I wanted the freedom to do good work as a therapist without the impending burnout that so often happens working for others with their own expectations of what your work should look like.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is a virtual private practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Something that sets me apart is being a black women and providing important and necessary representation to so many underrepresented people and groups that deserve to feel seen and heard. I am excited for the ideas and plans I have in my practice to reach more people with more tools and skills as I grow into a more confident therapist. I got to this point with some planning, mentorship, hoping and believing in myself. Getting my business started was not extremely challenging but trusting the process and shifting from being an employee to a business owner has been the biggest challenge I am still working through. It gets more manageable with time but it’s still a transition to be the one in charge and having to make ALL of the decisions. A big lesson I’ve learned along the way is to, “stay ready so I don’t have to get ready,” as many in my family have said throughout my life. I translate that into making sure I am prioritizing not only just being the therapist, but also making sure the business side is also managed on a daily basis with prep for the future always. Planning ahead and scheduling time for all the non-fun tasks is very important and necessary to keep my business running and thriving.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A really fun place right now in my local area is the Topanga Social, in the Valley. It has really good eats and drinks and is right downstairs from a dine- in theater. It’s a perfect dinner and a movie spot. We’d maybe do some exploring on Ventura blvd and see where the wind takes us from the valley out to Hollywood area! There’s always so much to do but I’m more of an in-the-moment person, happy to just get in the car and go!

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?
When it comes to my success and where I am in my life, I have to give credit to my husband and my mom first. Each of them have encouraged me, and supported me throughout my various attempts at figuring out my life. They always believed in me and my purpose, even when I didn’t see it myself. My sister and closest friends have always believed in me, pushed me and supported all my endeavors. Also I have been blessed to have wonderful colleagues that really inspired me to take a risk and head to private practice. I appreciate the people who poured into me and told me that I was more than good enough. They know who they are.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaniclmft/

Image Credits
Chrissy Beaulieu
Amani Chambliss