Yohmina Kasey - I Consult, I Counsel, I Serve

By Dorjae McClammey

Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

Yohmina Kasey of Greensboro, NC, wears many hats. On the one hand, she is an intelligent social entrepreneur; on the other, she leads a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of young adults.

Born and raised in Penhook, VA, Yohmina received a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Next, she followed that feat by acquiring her Masters of Social Work from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. Not finished, Yohmina decided to plant her roots, transition back to Greensboro, and jump-start her career.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Yohmina started her own practice, Peculiar Counseling and Consulting, nearly 12 years ago. Peculiar Counseling and Consulting is a group of private practice licensed therapists, social workers, and counselors. Together, they assist individuals, couples, and families with life challenges. They have years of experience and training in mental health counseling services.

The name “Peculiar” came from Yohmina wanting her agency to be unique regarding the quality of services provided and how each therapist is genuinely passionate about the therapy they deliver. She says “As the owner, I always wanted to be accessible to every client that walks through our doors no matter how big we get.”

In 2014, Yohmina wanted to expand her practice by providing services that would fill the gaps in clinical services. She answered this yearning with the development of the Selfless Foundation. Its mission is to provide innovative services and solutions to address social issues related to poverty, education, and healthcare. It provides transitional living services and intensive recovery support for young adults.

Intensive recovery support services, also known as the “Selfless Souls” program provide help for single mothers who are recovering from substance use. We help them find employment, housing, childcare and provide lasting support to assist them with maintaining their sobriety,” she shares. “Our goal has always been to decrease child abuse with Selfless Souls because we know that much child abuse and neglect occurs when parents are involved with substance use.”

Another component offered by the Selfless Foundation is Exposed Transitional Living Services. This resource helps young adults between the ages of 16 to 21 transition to adulthood. This includes individuals who’ve faced certain hardships, such as homelessness, and need assistance with learning how to live independently. Yohmina’s team of Social Workers work with these young adults to provide much needed support to prevent homelessness, and assist them with becoming employable while exposing them to different opportunities outside their current situation. Selfless Foundation also has ‘Skills on Wheels and the ‘Tutor Bar,’ a mobile tutoring service for lowincome households. Fundraising efforts are underway, and Yohmina plans to launch these new services in 2023.

Like any other business, Peculiar Counseling and Consulting has faced challenges. This includes learning how to manage her company and understanding the protocols that come along with it. Whatever the challenge, Yohmina has been committed to working through them in order to continue to serve. “As a Clinical Social Worker, people do not come to you because life is going great, they come to you because there are serious challenges presenting in their life. You have to really be passionate about this work in order to have longevity in this field. Having a good work-life balance for myself, helps me provide the best service I can to the people I serve.” she says.

Yohmina says she loves working in a field that keeps her grounded and connected with life and everyday people. “There is never a dull day,” she stated, but her services are needed by someone every day.

“I can not see myself doing anything but Social Work, mainly becausethere is so much to do. Finding a career you love is nothing to take forgranted, and I am glad I found my passion early in life.”

Yohmina’s main inspiration comes from seeing the difference that Social Workers make in people’s lives. “I can not see myself doing anything but Social Work, mainly because there is so much to do. Finding a career you love is nothing to take for granted, and I am glad I found my passion early in life,” she says.

As a Clinical Social Worker, Yohmina finds inspiration in the opportunity to work with individuals from all walks of life. She says, “The broadness of my chosen field leaves much room to impact lives in any direction. Social Workers exist because there is a need in every social institution, we survive because of the various ways that we impact lives. Getting it right and truly making a difference is what keeps me going.”

If you’re looking to follow in Yohmina’s footsteps, her advice is to try everything. “Because the field of Social Work is so broad, it is very important that you try to work with a variety of populations in order to find your spot. Finding out what you don’t like in this field is just as important as finding out what you do like, so try everything,” she says.

Moving forward, Yohmina says you can expect Peculiar Counseling and Consulting, as well as Selfless Foundation, to expand across the rural areas of North Carolina. She says the exact needs in Guilford County also exist in surrounding counties, and her team is prepared to serve.

Finally, Yohmina shares a quote upon which she has built her brand and life, which clearly defines her perspective of service. “Doing unto others is part of the solution. Selflessness is the solution to many of the problems in the world we’re facing.”

Please visit their website to learn more about Peculiar Counseling and Consulting and Selfless Foundation.

www.peculiarcounseling.com

www.selflessusa.org