About Us

Dr. Kimberly
Lee-Okonya, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C

Founder/ Clinical Director

About Me

Dr. Kimberly M. Lee-Okonya, (better known as Dr. Kim LO) is a Doctor of Social Work, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) practitioner. She is the clinical director and founder of Life Begins Here Therapeutic & Counseling Services. She is a passionate mental health and holistic wellness licensed therapist who specializes in helping people find internal peace and understanding of self through utilizing several evidenced based practices as well as through centering the mind, body, spirit connection and focusing on the 8 dimensions of wellness. Evidence supports healing is more effective when treating the whole person not just one aspect. She is also the founder of The Melanated Mommy Tribe which is an organization created under the Life Begins Here TCS umbrella as a safe space specifically to advocate for and address Black maternal mental health. Dr. Kim centers her wellness practices around her faith in God as she understands the importance of spirituality in understanding one's self, in fostering hope, true healing and internal transformation.

She is a wife and mother of two and immensely enjoys spending time with her family. Her favorite hobbies include spending time in nature, coloring (check out The Art of Mindless Time Activity book), traveling, gardening, reading and crafting beaded jewelry.

Experience

Dr. Kim LO has well over a decade of experience in the fields of Psychology and Social Work. Dr. Kim is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, The Gottman’s Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work, Bringing Baby Home and Gottman Couples Therapy level 3 trained. She has a wide range of valuable experience having worked in psychiatric hospitals, medical hospitals, university counseling centers, state agencies, private practice, and infectious disease clinics as well as in primary care settings.

Education

Georgia Southern University, B.S. in Psychology
University of Georgia, M.S. in Clinical Social Work
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW)
Certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship from Cornell University
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician (PMH-C)

Specialties

Pregnant Women
New Mothers
Mothers
Couples and Relationships
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Stress Management
Life Transitions

Specialities

Our expertise extends to the unique challenges of motherhood, providing guidance and support for maternal mental health as women navigate the transformative journey of parenthood.
For couples and relationships, we facilitate meaningful connections and offer tools to enhance communication, deepen intimacy, and to improve mutual understanding.
Embracing holistic health and wellness, we utilize a comprehensive approach that centers the mind, body, and spirit, addressing the whole person.
Our dedicated focus on anxiety and depression equips individuals with strategies to explore the root cause, address, manage and overcome these challenges, leading to true healing from the inside out and evolving into your best most authentic self.