Daily Inspiration: Meet Julianne Kilson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne Kilson

Hi Julianne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I went back to school at age 40 to get my bachelor’s degree at William Jewell College. I had four kids at home, but I wanted to be a medical doctor because of a medical crisis that my daughter went through. Unfortunately, chemistry and I don’t get along well, and I ended up deciding to become a mental health therapist instead. I got a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and went to MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), graduating in 2014 with a master’s degree in counseling. Through my affiliation with MNU, I have had the opportunity to lead groups of students on multicultural trips to Africa. I have made seven trips to Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. I have many friends there now and hope to return soon. I have done inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, and private practice. I have worked with couples, children, and adults. I am a certified trauma specialist and have focused much of my practice since 2020 on military and law enforcement clients. I am now working on my doctorate degree. While doing my diagnostic practicum, I worked at The Neurodiversity Clinic in Lee’s Summit. I enjoy doing assessments for ADHD, ASD, and IQ, but I found that I love working with the geriatric population doing dementia and other neuropsychological assessments. Dr. Morrison asked me to continue working after my practicum finished, and I’m thrilled to be a part of their team. My first book, The Grief Project, was just published in December by Kendall Hunt Publishing. Because of the book, I was recently interviewed on Great Day KC and featured in an article in the Tribune. I have eleven grandchildren and my family is my favorite thing about me. I want to be remembered as someone who loved people well. That’s my ultimate motivation in everything I do.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Returning to school at age 40 was challenging, just being the oldest student on campus. The students were all welcoming, though. I had four kids at home, and I was working full-time at Children’s Mercy Hospital on weekend nights and going to school M-F. I would take up to 22 credit hours a semester to graduate a year early. It was challenging, but I made the Dean’s List nearly every semester. Building my private practice was challenging as well, but I have a good support network and lots of encouraging people in my life.

Writing the book took four years. Well, really three, because my mom died during that process, and I had to put it away for a year and then come back to it. I was fortunate that the first publisher I pitched to, chose to work with me.

Going back to get my doctorate has been challenging. The program is rigorous and I am not able to work with as many private practice clients as I would like. Again, I’m over 50 years old, and my peers at school are 22-35, but they have been so kind. My family is always my priority, but balancing everything is sometimes challenging. My husband Steve is so encouraging and supportive and that makes such a huge difference.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have specialized in trauma treatment since 2016. In 2020 when working at Signature Psychiatric Hospital, I had the honor of working with their Valor program, which was an inpatient/outpatient program for military and law enforcement. Both of my sons were in the Army and so it was a population close to my heart. In 2019, while working at Signature, I started my private practice, Rise Up Counseling. The majority of my patients there are trauma survivors, many of them military and law enforcement, but also just normal folks that have been through traumatic events. My tagline for my practice is “You don’t have to walk alone.” That’s my goal. To walk alongside those that feel broken hearted so they don’t feel alone. It’s such an honor to be a small part of someone’s healing journey. (My private practice is now fully virtual)

My time in Africa has been a highlight of my career. I was able to co-lead trips with my dear friend Acha Goris. We took students in their master’s of counseling program to Africa and partnered with universities there. We had classes with African students in their master’s of counseling programs and had classes and did mission work together. I have also been to Africa with an organization called Go Africa. I have made many friends in Africa with whom I talk on a weekly basis. I hope to return soon.

I am very proud of my book, The Grief Project. I started the process of gathering stories of grief due to a death, after my father died in 2017. My mom and I started working on the project together in 2019, and she passed away in 2020. Most of the stories were contributed by people I had never met. I recently had my book launch party and met about 20 of the nearly 70 contributors. It was a very emotional experience for me. And I am so grateful to them for their courage in sharing such personal stories.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I had such a wonderful childhood, and it’s difficult to pick one. Two that immediately stand out are my mom and I used to sit on the porch swing and watch thunderstorms roll through. We would swing gently, and she would sing, or we would talk. I still love to sit out on my porch and watch storms. My dad would take me to the farm with him and carry me on his shoulders to count the cattle. He taught me to ride horses, and I have many good memories of that. My parents were so kind and generous to others, and their faith was important to them and I try to emulate that in my adult life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.griefprojectonline.com
• Instagram: @julestherapyaesthetic
• Facebook: @Jules Kilson LPC
• Other: https://www.neurodiversity.clinic