Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrell Robinson.
Darrell , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Starting off, I was unsure of the exact path I wanted to take, so I chose business as my major. It felt broad, practical, and universal, and since I was pretty good at math, it seemed like a natural fit. However, after taking accounting, I quickly realized that the subject didn’t spark my interest or curiosity. Around that time, I happened to take a general psychology class that captured my attention in a way business never had—it made me curious, engaged, and deeply connected. That class ultimately inspired me to switch my major to psychology.
Even then, psychology wasn’t yet my deepest spark. I eventually left Alabama A&M to return home and pursue football at Sacramento City College, making athletics my main priority. That journey earned me a scholarship to MidAmerica Nazarene University, where I found myself surrounded by professors who not only challenged me but also supported my growth. Their encouragement pushed me to expand my curiosities and develop my ability to connect with people on different levels.
At one point, I considered transferring again for athletic reasons. But it was Michael Vogel who encouraged me to stay—not just for the school, but also to apply for the counseling program. His mentorship guided me toward a path that felt both surreal and deeply connected to who I am.
This journey reminded me of a core memory from high school: being chosen as a conflict mediator, helping students resolve issues before they ever reached the principal. Looking back, it almost feels as though the story wrote itself. What once seemed like coincidence now feels like destiny—an unfolding journey that revealed my natural ability to connect with others, to look beyond surface behaviors, and to understand people for who they truly are.
Through graduate school, I went through what most students experience—the balance of stress, perseverance, and breakthrough within myself. It was also one of the most challenging times in my personal life, yet it led to one of my proudest achievements: becoming the first in my family to earn a graduate degree. From there, my internship at Great Oaks turned into an opportunity as an independent contractor, giving me invaluable professional experience. Though I am no longer there, I remain grateful for the lessons and growth I gained during that time.
In my post-graduate journey, I was blessed with another mentor, Niesha Miser, who continues to bring out my greatest potential. As a supervisor, she has supported me through complex cases while encouraging me to grow both personally and professionally. With her guidance, I was inspired to launch my own private practice, Inner Peace Counseling. My hope is that through this work, I can continue to inspire others and help them discover what my practice is named for—their own inner peace.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth. I’ve faced a number of personal challenges that at times made the journey incredibly difficult. Graduate school itself required a balance of stress, perseverance, and breakthrough, while at the same time I was navigating some of the most challenging moments in my personal life. Being the first in my family to pursue and achieve a graduate degree meant that I had to find my own way without a roadmap, leaning on resilience and faith to keep moving forward.
What carried me through was not only perseverance but also the work itself. I found that being able to sit with clients—listening to their stories, holding space for their pain, and helping them move toward healing—gave me an outlet and even an escape from my own struggles. In many ways, my clients’ courage inspired me to face my own challenges with strength and perspective.
Along the way, mentorship also became a lifeline. Professors who challenged and supported me, supervisors like Michael Vogel who encouraged me to stay the course, and later mentors like Niesha Miser who pushed me to grow into my potential, all played a role in guiding me when the road was difficult. Those supports, along with the experiences I gained through opportunities such as my internship at Great Oaks, helped turn obstacles into stepping stones.
Looking back, the challenges I faced were not detours but part of the path that shaped me into the counselor I am today—resilient, empathetic, and deeply committed to helping others find their own sense of peace and strength.
We’ve been impressed with Inner Peace Counseling , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Inner Peace Counseling, a practice dedicated to helping individuals create the peace they deserve. I work with a diverse range of clients, including court-ordered individuals, providing a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore challenges, uncover patterns, amplify emotions, and refine hidden strengths. While stepping into new territory can be daunting, it’s through these leaps that clients discover their true potential.
Rooted in empathy and client-centered care, my approach integrates evidence-based strategies tailored to each individual. I aim to empower clients to build self-awareness, resilience, and lasting balance, helping them uncover strengths and achieve meaningful growth.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For those just starting out, my biggest advice is to trust the process. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and clarity often comes from experience. Seek out conversations not only with people who share your focus, but also with those who bring different perspectives—those insights can help shape your path in meaningful ways.
Perfection is not the goal, especially in the beginning. There will be challenges and missteps, but each one carries a lesson that builds your foundation.
From a therapeutic standpoint, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I received was this: at its core, therapy is two people in conversation. The relationship always comes first. When trust and connection are established, the work that follows becomes much more impactful.
Pricing:
- Individual 120$
- Couples 150$
- Family 150$ + 50 for any additional participants
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