Meet Krista Driver | PsyD, CEO, Author & DNA Detective

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

Hi Krista, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
My end “goal” is to be diversified and to not necessarily have an “end”. Let me explain. My education is in Psychology and that is the “lane” I stay in for the most part. Meaning, I have a clinical case load, I supervise Interns gaining hours for licensure and I develop programs at the nonprofit counseling center (Mariposa) where I am the CEO. The cases I have are fascinating. I specialize in NPE (non parent expected) and Adoption. NPE’s are those that have taken a home DNA test and discovered a long kept secret ~ that their birth certificate father is not their biological father. I help them navigate that journey and I help them build their tree’s and find living relatives. So far, I’ve solved several cases and the work is so fulfilling for me. The work with Adoptees is much the same, whether they knew they were adopted or not… I help them discover their biological family’s story. For me, to be diversified means to also work in “other” lanes simultaneously. For example, I am a writer. You would think I wrote about psychology topics, but that’s not necessarily true. My last book, Mani/Pedi, published in Oct. 2019, is a true story of a woman who escaped from Vietnam, came to America and did what many Vietnamese refugees did ~ she began working in the nail industry. It’s a true life rags to riches story! That book is being optioned for a movie (I am a co-producer) and I’m currently writing my next book. Another lane I peddle in is art. I’ve created a few pieces that I’ve sold and really enjoy the work. This is probably the lane I spend the least amount of time doing, not because I don’t love it, but rather because there just aren’t enough hours in the day. To diversify my work gives me 1. Opportunity 2. Stimulating work 3. Provides financial options and security. In the business model, diversifying is a position of strength because there are more revenue streams. So, if one stream dries up, there is revenue from other sources. The lanes I’ve chosen do not necessarily have a “end” date. I can always create, always be of service, always find ways to make an income. I may transition from one lane to another ~ Maybe do more work in media and less work in administration or develop another lane all together. For me, the point is to never stop looking for opportunities and continually strive toward mastery in everything I set out to accomplish.

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?
The little question in the middle = Was it easy? That makes me smile and slowly shake my head…that is actually somewhat difficult to answer. No, it wasn’t easy because I’ve spent years learning my craft, a lot of money earning my degree’s and working to build my network. Yet it was all the things I loved doing, so it made all the sacrifice and investments worth it. Right now, I am most excited about the work I’m doing with NPE’s. Not only do I employ traditional psychology and therapeutic interventions to help people move through their depression, anxiety and trauma, I also do the “detective” work to search for their truth. I absolutely love building their family tree’s and piecing together their ancestral stories. I do the leg work of actually find living relatives and then help them with a “reunion” of sorts. And writing is a close second. I’m proud of the Mani/Pedi book and I can’t wait for it to hit the big screen. I believe in the (true) story and feel that it will resonate with a lot of people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t make decisions in a vacuum and I would definitely give my friend options. Some things I would recommend are the beach (since I live so close), Big Bear (since it’s fairly close) (What’s not to love about being in So. Cal. and so close to the beach AND the mountains?) Aside from the scenic places, I would probably do a day trip to Los Angeles. Hit up a museum ~ like the Museum of Tolerance (which is depressing, but one of my favorites). Maybe lunch or dinner at a restaurant that’s on tv, like SUR (which have these amazing little fried goat cheese balls!) I love history and would do a museum over a mall any day. I also love “how it was made” type of things and some day would like to go to the Coca Cola museum in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m assuming my friend has similar interests. If not, then I could totally sacrifice a week to do things that interested my guest.

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?
There are so many individuals that have inspired my journey, it would be difficult to name them all. I would say one of the biggest impacts on me have been the women that have gone before me; women who dared to ask for more. The suffragettes, the scientist and intellectuals that caused real change for women. Oprah (of course) who created her own empire by daring to take risks, work hard and help others. However, the sum total of my success has been because of my mother. My adoptive mother that is. She always believed in me and allowed me the opportunities to make mistakes without the “I told you so’s” some mothers would give.

Website: https://kristadriver.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristadriver/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-driver-6034a735/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKristaDriver

Image Credits
Miss Darcy Photography https://www.missdarcyphotography.com/