Meet LaKisha Watson

MS, CEAP®, LCDC-I — Founder of STIR Integrative Counseling & Consulting

Growing up in a military family meant change was a regular part of my life. We moved every few years, including overseas, which exposed me early to different cultures, communities, and ways of seeing the world. I learned to adapt to new environments, connect with people whose experiences and perspectives differed from my own, and find my footing in unfamiliar places. My own military service continued that experience into adulthood and further shaped my understanding of how culture, identity, environment, and life experiences influence the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and navigate change.

Before entering the counseling field, I spent more than 20 years working across healthcare leadership, operations, behavioral health, and employee support services. Throughout my career, I worked with people navigating workplace stress, leadership demands, career changes, personal challenges, and the realities of balancing work with life outside of it. I also saw how often organizations focused on performance, processes, and outcomes without fully considering the people behind them. These experiences deepened my interest in human behavior and reinforced something I had observed throughout my career: whether we are talking about work, relationships, or life, understanding people matters.

That interest ultimately led me to counseling, where I could bring together my professional experience and commitment to understanding people in a different way. My approach is humanistic, integrative, and insight-oriented, balancing emotional insight with practical guidance. I look beyond the immediate concern to understand the identities, relationships, culture, strengths, values, and experiences that shape each person. My role is to help clients recognize patterns, deepen self-awareness, and make choices that align with what matters most to them.

Education

Clinical & Military

Specialization