Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Miles, PsyD.
Tonya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I wanted to be a psychologist- someone who can help others through the dark times- since around 3rd grade. After getting licensed, I left a group practice and started my solo private practice in 2006. In late 2025 I expanded my business, moved into a new office space that my husband and I purchased, and now have another therapist along with 2 doctoral practicum students who have joined me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Graduate school alone was quite the challenge as I had 3 children along the way! I was the first person in my family to attend college, so pursuing my doctorate degree seemed like wishful thinking. With a great deal of support from my family, I was able to finish 10 years of college with a lot of tears, self-doubt, and many student loans. Sometimes I’m still amazed that I was able to do it. At one point I was pregnant with my 3rd child, had 2 young children in pre-k, worked full-time, and was writing my dissertation in my ‘spare’ time.
Trying to balance all of the demands between family/home, my career, and caring for myself and my important relationships has been my biggest challenge. I had to let go of the idea that I could give any area of my life 100% and quickly figure out what was priority.
Within my work as a psychologist, the biggest obstacle has continued to be the fractures in our healthcare system. Mental health care has been significantly undervalued. Despite progresses we make, such as mental health parity, we continue to have set backs, such as insurers creating obstacles to utilizing benefits and drastically underpaying providers.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Miles Psychology Group?
We provide general psychological assessment and treatment for teens and adults. Our practice sees individuals, families, and couples with a wide range of issues. I have a specialty area in diagnosing and treating ADHD and have been a board member of ADHDKC, the local chapter affiliate of CHADD. Additionally I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for treating trauma. I have served on the Greater Kansas City Psychological Association board as well as being former board president of Postpartum Support International.
I value education- both learning and teaching! In addition to my clinical work in private practice, I have taught undergraduate psychology courses at Missouri State University and Johnson County Community College. I supervise two master’s level clinicians and have 2 doctoral clinical psychology practicum students that are a part of our clinical team. I greatly enjoy the collaborative process of sharing information, connecting with the future generation of professionals, and challenge my own skills and ideologies.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I really enjoy writing and being creative, although I don’t provide myself much of an opportunity to do it. Hoping that is something I make more space for soon.
This has been the hardest question so far! I’m a private person but also pretty authentic in what I share, so people who know me hear about all the things- such as my love of animals (I follow an abnormal amount of animals on Instagram), my love & need for nature, my endless curiosity about random things, and my love of travel & music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.milespsychgroup.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-miles-psyd-3691166
