Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavia Burney.
Hi Octavia , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story has been shaped by resilience, faith, and a deep desire to help others. As a burn survivor, I experienced firsthand how trauma can affect not only the body but also the mind and spirit.
That experience gave me a unique perspective on healing and planted the seed for the work I do today.
I am also a wife and mother, and those roles have taught me the importance of compassion, patience, and showing up for the people you love. They continue to inspire me every day, both personally and professionally.
Throughout my experiences I always used my passion for writing and became an author while healing from being burned. Through my books, I strive to create spaces where people feel seen, whether they’re navigating grief, healing from trauma, or simply looking for hope. Writing has become another way for me to encourage others and remind them they are not alone.
Today, I have the privilege of serving as a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA), where I work with individuals and families experiencing trauma, life transitions, and mental health challenges. Every day, I help people build resilience, develop healthy coping skills, and move toward healing. It’s incredibly meaningful to walk alongside others as they rediscover their strength and hope.
Looking back, every chapter of my life from surviving being burned to becoming a therapist and author has prepared me for this purpose. My goal is to continue using my experiences, education, and voice to help others heal, empower communities, and remind people that their story doesn’t end with what they’ve been through. Healing is possible, and no one has to walk that journey alone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many people, I’ve faced seasons that challenged me in ways I never expected. As a burn survivor, I had to overcome not only physical healing but also the emotional impact that comes with trauma, self-image, and learning to embrace my story. There were moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, but those experiences taught me resilience and gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to heal.
I’ve also experienced grief and personal loss, while balancing the responsibilities of being a wife, mother, student, and now a therapist. Earning my master’s degree in social work required perseverance, sacrifice, and determination. There were days when the journey felt overwhelming, but I stayed committed to my purpose because I knew I wanted to help others find hope in their own struggles.
Those challenges have shaped who I am today. They allow me to connect with people not just through my education and clinical training as a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate, but through empathy and lived experience. Whether I’m writing as an author or sitting with a client in therapy, I understand that healing isn’t always a straight path. It’s often messy, gradual, and deeply personal. My journey has taught me that our greatest struggles can become the foundation for our greatest purpose, and that’s the message I strive to share with everyone I meet.
As you know, we’re big fans of Montelongo Mental Health, LLC (private practice) Not the owner and Lilly Moní my book boutique and more . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I currently serve as a therapist at Montelongo Mental Health, where I work as a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA). In this role, I provide therapeutic support to individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health challenges. My work is centered on creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they move toward healing and emotional wellness. I specialize in trauma-informed care and take a holistic, person-centered approach, CBT and more that meets clients where they are while helping them build practical coping skills and long-term emotional resilience.
What sets me apart as a clinician is not only my clinical training and experience, but also my lived experience as a burn survivor, wife, and mother. I understand firsthand how trauma can impact every area of life, and I use that perspective to connect deeply with the individuals and families I serve. My goal is always to help clients feel empowered in their healing journey, not defined by what they’ve been through.
Outside of my clinical work, I am also the founder of Lilly Moní, a creative business and personal brand that reflects my passion for storytelling, healing, and self-expression. Through Lilly Moní, I offer books, apparel, and inspirational products designed to uplift, encourage, and remind people that their story still has meaning even in the midst of pain. My writing is especially rooted in grief, resilience, and emotional healing, and it serves as an extension of the work I do in therapy helping people find language for what they’ve lived through.
What I am most proud of brand-wise is that both my clinical work and my creative work align with the same mission: helping people heal. Whether I am sitting with a client in session or sharing words through my books and products, my purpose remains the same to support emotional wellness, normalize conversations around mental health, and help others feel less alone in their journey.
Lilly Moní represents more than a business to me; it is a reflection of healing, faith, and transformation. I want readers and clients to know that everything I create is intentional, rooted in lived experience, and designed to inspire hope, strength, and restoration
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a mix of shy and deeply creative. I wasn’t always the most outgoing in large groups, but I observed a lot and expressed myself in quieter, more creative ways. Once I felt comfortable, my personality would really shine through.
I’ve always been drawn to the arts and expression. I loved singing and dancing from a young age, and those became natural outlets for me to express emotions and tell stories without always having to use words. Music and movement were a big part of how I connected with myself and the world around me.
I also loved reading, which allowed me to explore different perspectives, imagine new worlds, and develop a strong sense of empathy. That love for storytelling eventually carried into my passion for writing and becoming an author.
Alongside my creative interests, I was also very active and enjoyed playing sports. Being involved in sports taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance qualities that have stayed with me into adulthood and my professional life.
Overall, I would say I was a quiet but imaginative child someone who felt deeply, created often, and found different ways to express herself. Those early interests and personality traits are still very present in who I am today, both as a therapist and as a creative professional.
Pricing:
- Beneath the Quiet Sky (Grief Journal) $15.00 plus shipping
- Marty $22.99
- The Storm Saved Me $12.00
- My Dog is my therapist t-shirt: $12.00
- The Storm Saved Me (t-shirt) $12.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beyondhereyes.com/lillymonishop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_beyondhereyes/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/octavia-burney-greenville-nc/1576793
