Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Saunders-Waldron.
Hi Keisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If someone had told me years ago that I’d one day lead a counseling practice, teach at a university, and help shape conversations around mental health and leadership, I probably would’ve smiled politely and said, “Maybe.” But the truth is, this path found me long before I fully recognized it — even back in my early days of cartoon illustrations.
I’ve always been drawn to people — their stories, their resilience, and their desire to heal even when life feels heavy. That curiosity and compassion led me to pursue counseling, and over time, it evolved into a calling to help others uncover the healthiest, most authentic versions of themselves.
Starting Confidential Confessions Counseling Services, PLLC wasn’t just about opening a practice; it was about creating a safe, culturally responsive space where people could show up as they are — no masks, no judgment. I wanted to build something that merged clinical excellence with humanity, empathy, and real connection.
My journey has included many titles — clinician, educator, wife, mother, mentor — but the common thread is purpose. Today, through my private practice, community initiatives, and my work as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, I get to live that purpose out loud every day.
It hasn’t been a straight road. There were moments of uncertainty — moments when I wondered if I was qualified enough or ready enough to run a practice. But each challenge taught me something invaluable: healing and leadership both start with courage — the courage to keep showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Now, as I look back, I realize that everything — from the late nights studying, to the clients who trusted me with their pain, to launching events like the Lace Up for Life Sneaker Ball — has shaped not just my career, but my heart for this work. I didn’t just choose this field — it chose me, and I’m endlessly grateful that it did.
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?
Absolutely not — and honestly, I’m grateful it hasn’t been. The road to where I am today has been full of detours, lessons, and moments that have stretched me both personally and professionally.
When I first started out, one of my biggest challenges was learning how to build something from the ground up while balancing all the other parts of my life — being a wife, a mother, a professional, and a woman of faith. There were seasons when I poured everything into my clients and students but neglected my own rest and self-care. It took time — and humility — to understand that caring for others begins with caring for myself.
Entrepreneurship in mental health brings its own kind of challenge. When I founded Confidential Confessions Counseling Services, there was no blueprint — only a deep belief that a safe, culturally responsive space for healing needed to exist. Behind that vision, however, were the realities: long nights, financial uncertainties, endless paperwork, and the emotional weight that comes with doing this kind of heart work.
There were also moments of doubt — wondering if I was doing enough, reaching enough people, or leading in the right way. But every obstacle taught me something vital about perseverance, boundaries, and grace.
I’ve learned that smooth roads don’t create strong leaders. The bumps and turns are what build the resilience, empathy, and wisdom that allow me to sit across from someone in pain and say, “You’re not alone — and this moment doesn’t define your future.”
So, no, it hasn’t been easy — but I wouldn’t trade a single challenge. Each one has shaped the leader, counselor, and woman I am today, and they continue to remind me that purpose often lives on the other side of struggle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of healing, leadership, and purpose. As the Founder and CEO of Confidential Confessions Counseling Services, PLLC, I lead a practice that helps individuals, couples, and professionals navigate trauma, anxiety, and major life transitions. Our mission is simple — to create a space where people can be fully seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
I specialize in trauma-informed, culturally responsive counseling, with an emphasis on emotional healing and identity development. For me, therapy isn’t just about treating pain — it’s about helping people rediscover strength, reclaim hope, and build lives that feel authentic and aligned.
In addition to my clinical work, I serve as an Adjunct Professor and University Clinical Advisor at Northwestern University, where I train future counselors to lead with cultural humility, compassion, and confidence. Mentorship is one of my greatest joys — watching students evolve into thoughtful, ethical practitioners is deeply rewarding.
One of the projects closest to my heart is the Lace Up for Life Sneaker Ball, a community event I created to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. It combines connection, creativity, and purpose — a celebration that turns difficult conversations into collective hope and action.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single moment or achievement; it’s the consistent ability to show up for people — in the therapy room, the classroom, and the community — with authenticity. What sets me apart is that I lead from a place of empathy and lived experience. I don’t just teach healing or leadership — I practice it daily.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Apps
Calm – A guided-meditation and sleep-story app that helps with stress and emotional regulation.
Insight Timer – Free meditations and talks from global teachers; useful for quick resets.
NC 2-1-1 (North Carolina) – An app/website to find local health and human services in NC.
OhioMeansJobs – App and site; helpful for professional development, job-skills growth in Ohio.
Books
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — Essential read on trauma and healing, helpful for my counseling lens.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — Great for leadership, vulnerability, and building courageous teams.
Atomic Habits by James Clear — For personal and professional growth, how small changes lead to big outcomes.
🎙 Podcasts
Therapy for Black Girls (Dr. Joy Harden Bradford) — Focused on mental-health for Black women; inspiration for culturally responsive practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cccounsel.me
- Instagram: _cccounseling
- Facebook: ConfidentialConfessionsCounseling
