Meet Kelly Taylor of I Heal Tap

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Taylor.

Hi Kelly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 

In 1999, my first husband passed away, leaving me a widow and a single mom to our seven-year-old daughter, Brea. At the time, I was already pursuing an undergraduate degree in Health and Human Services. Despite the challenges, I decided to take a brief break to gather my life before returning to school. This time, I added a concentration in Death & Dying to my studies. In my social circle, I found myself navigating grief in a unique way as nobody resembled my experiences. This compelled me to seek understanding and make sense of my grief.

This journey led me to work with a prominent funeral home in Norfolk, VA, where I gained a Certification in Grief Counseling. Subsequently, I started offering counseling services and introduced a line of grief-related items that quickly gained popularity. Today, I run a private practice, specializing in assisting bereaved individuals. My grief items, which have evolved from baskets to boxes, continue to resonate with those seeking solace. Additionally, I have recently achieved a milestone by publishing my first book, ‘A Griever’s Journal: A Gentle Space to Reflect, Heal, Regroup, Love, and Live.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Absolutely not! Death and dying is still very taboo and not at all glamorous. Even though it is something that touches every single person on the planet, people are still hesitant to join in discussions. So, I have had to find subtle ways to promote my angelic offerings. However, once the receiver experiences the bereavement healing box and the giver experiences the gratitude, I usually have a client for life.

Grief counseling is heavy work and often requires me to take breaks. Finding outlets can be a challenge, but I discovered that I had a knack for designing.  My husband and I take cigar boxes and turn them into wearable pieces of art. Using my creative talents have taken my cigar box purses to New York and Columbia SC fashion week runways,  local fashion shows and guest appearances on a local talk show. It’s my side gig that brings the fun side out of me! Follow us @smokingrepeats on Instagram.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about I Heal Tap, LLC?

Today, my greatest source of pride is my book. I strongly believe that this project has the potential to reach grievers on a profound level, unlike anything I’ve achieved before and It serves as a legacy for my grandchildren.

In addition to being an author, I am a Grief Mentor and a passionate advocate for self-care. When working with clients, my focus is on providing a space where they feel heard in their grief, affirmed in their experiences, and equipped to identify triggers and fears, ultimately leading to relief.

I am the founder of I Heal Tap, LLC, a grief and bereavement wellness service dedicated to guiding individuals through their healing journey. While we currently operate on a self-pay basis, I strive to make our services as affordable as possible for all.

What’s next?

In the near future, I plan to embark on a book tour and allow myself more time to write. It’s a great honor to have been invited as a keynote speaker for a 2024 Grief and Caregiver’s retreat, and I welcome other opportunities for guest speaking engagements focused on topics related to grief and bereavement care. Additionally, I am actively developing both in-person and virtual grief support groups to extend my reach and provide meaningful support.

Pricing:

• 20.00 book
• 45.00 – 200.00 Grief Counseling

• 25.00 – 65.00 Bereavement Gifts and Healing Boxes

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ihealtap.com
• Instagram: @ihealtap
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihealtap
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybuffaloe/
• Twitter: @ihealtap

Image Credits
Fodee Wiles
Tiphony Photography