Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Mullins.
Hi Kimberly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Oh gosh, where to begin? I went to undergraduate school at Oklahoma State. I was a research assistant and on track to becoming a pediatric psychologist. I worked with data and wrote papers and posters. Then one day, I realized I didn’t enjoy working with data; I wanted to work with people. That’s when I decided to get my master’s in counseling. I knew I always wanted to work with children. I thought to myself at a pretty young age, maybe high school age, would fewer adults be hurting if we helped them as kids? Once I began my graduate counseling program, I quickly became intrigued by play therapy. I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about play therapy, and how to help kids heal their emotional wounds. Thankfully I had many amazing professors (mostly all female) to guide and teach me.
Since graduate school, I have worked in many different areas and have gained experience that has been indispensable. I have worked in an outpatient psychiatry clinic, where kids that couldn’t function in regular school settings were sent. I worked at an inpatient unit for Children’s Health with kids experiencing suicidal ideation, homicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. I provided play therapy at Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Additionally, I worked with a non-profit for 2 years called His Story and at a private practice, Hope Child and Family Center of Texas. In my most recent endeavor, I started Open Table Counseling in 2018 with the goal of providing play therapy and counseling services for the Dallas community. Since Open Table Counseling (OTC) opened, I became EMDR Trained and really refined the values that OTC stands for.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I do not really believe in smooth roads when it comes to life and being human. I’ve had an amazing support system that has helped me along the way. Starting a private practice is a big undertaking. Most counselors get referrals from word of mouth, but when you are first starting out, no one knows your name. I can remember networking so much in the first couple of months; attaching business cards to donuts and cookie deliveries, I made to schools and doctor’s offices. It was a hustle to get my name out there. And slowly, it started to build, and more and more referrals came in. I’m also thankful for my colleagues and friends (most are therapists) that helped me build my clientele.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I provide counseling to anyone ages 3 and up. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and I am a registered play therapist (RPT) in the state of Texas, which means I have extra education in counseling children. I see adults, teens, children, and families. I would say my specialty is trauma and anxiety. I chose to become EMDR trained (a specialized treatment model used for trauma processing) because I see how trauma impacts clients of all ages. I believe that many of our struggles, hang-ups, and hard seasons of life are tied to trauma. And because we live in an imperfect world with imperfect people, most of us have some type of trauma. I also have an emotional support animal that comes to my office for my clients. Molly is a white lab and golden retriever mix (or at least that is what the vet thinks) that was rescued from the side of I45 in July of 2015. Some of my clients really enjoy Molly and feel soothed by her company which is always helpful when processing hard things like trauma, anxiety, and depression.
I think what sets me apart is my ability to be really honest and forthcoming while also being compassionate. I am a pretty direct person, and I am always mindful to deliver that honesty in a kind, empathetic way. I believe that people crave honesty and integrity, even if it’s uncomfortable or different than what they may want to hear because people desire to be healthy and whole. I am who I am, and I don’t waiver to please people. I think that authenticity is contagious and hard to find in this world. As a woman, I have been told to be small most of my life in some form or fashion. I like the way Brené Brown says it, “do not puff up or shrink down, but stand strong.”
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I think in the professional world, as adults, we try to please others, and walk on eggshells at times to fit in or achieve a goal of some sort. The most important lesson that I have learned in being a business owner and counselor is that it’s important to stand up for what I believe has value and to not allow my integrity to waiver in order to earn someone’s business or approval. At Open Table Counseling, we believe in embracing all people, no matter race, age, gender, sexuality, SES Status, or culture. In a conservative state, that can be challenging for people to hear. The one thing I have learned is to be me, stand for what I believe is right, and to remember that I don’t need to shrink my values or integrity for anyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://opentablecounseling.com
- Instagram: Open.table.counseling
