Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Norwicz.
Hi Kim, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
If you had asked me growing up whether I wanted to be a therapist one day, I would’ve laughed and said absolutely not! Becoming a mental health counselor wasn’t a lifelong dream, it was actually something that slowly revealed itself to me as I grew, learned, and lived through my own experiences. In undergrad at the University of Maryland, I bounced around between majors in special education, speech pathology/audiology, and eventually landed in the family science program. Every direction I explored had one theme in common, which was helping people. I didn’t know exactly how I wanted to help yet, but I knew that supporting others felt meaningful and instinctive to me.
That instinct came not just from who I am at my core, but from what I lived through. When you grow up carrying a lot of responsibility, it shapes the way you move through the world, and for me, it naturally guided me toward the work I do today.
When I was in middle school, my father suffered a severe brain injury that completely reshaped our family dynamic. His recovery took years and is still ongoing, as he learned to adapt to an entirely new version of himself shaped by neurological changes, memory loss, and significant shifts in his personality. He had to relearn many basic daily functions, including walking, talking, and eating. My mom became his full-time caregiver, often spending months at the hospital, while my sisters and I rotated between friends’ and relatives’ homes. I stepped into a parentified role early, helping with his daily needs and trying to protect my younger sisters as best I could. Our home was rooted in love, but it was also chaotic, emotionally overwhelming, and unstable in ways that no child could fully understand at the time.
After our family had found a steadier rhythm and a sense of normalcy, my mom was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Once again, roles shifted, responsibilities grew, and the emotional weight increased. And even though I was genuinely grateful then (and still am) for the many forms of privilege I had growing up, I unintentionally turned that awareness inward in an unhelpful way. I convinced myself I had “no right” to struggle because “other people had it worse,” not realizing how invalidating and unfair that mindset truly was. It took years, both personally and clinically, to understand that pain doesn’t need to be compared to be real, and that our experiences still shape who we become.
Throughout all of this, I found refuge in sports, in being outside the house, and eventually, in therapy, although traditional talk therapy didn’t connect with me at first. Art therapy did. It gave me a way to express things I didn’t have words for yet. That experience planted a seed I didn’t fully appreciate until later, when I realized how powerful creativity can be in healing.
This ultimately led me to pursue my Master’s of Science degree in both Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where I completed two specializations which included trauma and medical. My clinical rotations were incredibly formative:
• I worked with teens in a high school setting, including students with varying neurodivergencies.
• I provided individual and group therapy to active-duty service members in a military hospital’s mental health/substance abuse rehabilitation program.
• And lastly, I was immersed in a beautiful children’s hospital where I provided counseling and art therapy to children, teens, and families mainly across hematology/oncology, pediatric ICU, and other departments within.
Each setting taught me something new about resilience, identity, grief, and the systemic challenges people face. I was constantly struck by the profound strength people show and the incredible ways they adapt and grow in the face of adversity. I am truly so grateful for all of these early diverse experiences. They shaped the clinician I am today.
After graduate school, I spent a few years in community mental health working with underserved children, teens, and families facing severe trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, foster system/adoption-related challenges, substance use, and complex disruptive/impulse-control disorders. I loved this work deeply. These are populations often misunderstood, overlooked, or labeled before they’re truly seen. Being one steady, safe adult in their world felt like an incredible privilege.
Eventually, I moved on and was hired into a private practice and later stepped into a clinical director role there, which surprised me by awakening another passion of business building! I never expected to enjoy the entrepreneurial side of things, but I found myself energized by the idea of creating something that reflected exactly who I am as a therapist and what I value in this field which is authenticity, warmth, inclusivity, creativity, and human connection.
And that’s how Breaking Waves Counseling was born! My vision was to build a practice that felt down-to-earth and relatable. A place where people can be themselves, and not feel like therapy is a rigid, clinical process. I wanted to blend clinical excellence with approachability, humor, and humanity. I wanted clients to feel that the person sitting across from them is human too.
My story isn’t one of tragedy, it’s definitely one of transformation. The challenges I faced didn’t make me a therapist out of necessity, they simply gave me a unique lens of empathy, compassion, and determination. I didn’t grow up dreaming of this career, but now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Breaking Waves feels like the perfect culmination of who I am, which is a clinician, a creative, a mentor, a mom, and a quirky human who deeply believes in people’s capacity to heal and grow.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely there have been challenges! Honestly, if someone told me their path had zero obstacles, I’d be a little suspicious, as growth and difficulty tend to show up together. For me, one of my earliest hurdles was academic confidence. I was never the student who could breeze through a course, barely study, and still pull off a perfect score. I was the student who studied relentlessly and still sometimes fell short. That created a lot of self-doubt and a very real sense of imposter syndrome throughout my education and early clinical work.
But looking back now as a more seasoned professional, I’m genuinely grateful for those experiences. Feeling like I had to work twice as hard made me more empathetic, more aware, and more attuned to the struggles many of my clients face. It taught me persistence, humility, and the importance of showing up even when you’re questioning yourself. And it absolutely shaped me into the clinician I am today. I also credit the mentors who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. My high school principal saw potential in me during some of the hardest chapters of my life and consistently reminded me that I was capable. In graduate school, I had professors who encouraged my creativity, empowered me, and helped me trust my strengths. And my post-graduate Qualified Supervisor? She was transformative. She normalized my imposter syndrome, challenged me ethically and clinically, and helped mold the therapist I’ve become.
There were also challenges outside the academic world. Real-life challenges that tested both my personal and professional life at the same time. In hindsight, I can’t believe I did this, but I opened my private practice spontaneously… while six months pregnant. Yes, I was probably a little crazy. Then came a high-risk pregnancy, a newborn in the ICU, and navigating my son’s heart condition that required major surgery. It was one of the most emotionally demanding seasons of my life. Balancing the role of a therapist with the role of a mom going through something so intense required a level of grounding and intentionality that I had never needed before.
Those experiences reinforced something essential about this work. Therapists are human first. And if we aren’t caring for our own mental health, boundaries, and stability, we cannot ethically or effectively care for others. I’ve had to learn when to rest, when to seek my own therapy, and how to hold space for clients while also holding space for myself. That balance is an ongoing practice, not a destination!
So no, my journey has not been smooth. It’s been messy, beautiful, overwhelming, and a bit of a circus. But I’d drive the same road again and again if it led me right back here. As Dory wisely says, “just keep swimming.” And that’s exactly what I’ve tried to do… sometimes gracefully, sometimes flailing, but always moving forward. And that’s the message I share with my clients too. Life isn’t meant to be perfectly lived. Keep swimming and embrace the mess.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Breaking Waves Counseling?
Breaking Waves Counseling is at the heart of everything I do. I built it with one goal in mind which is to make therapy feel human, relational, and empowering, not cold, robotic, or overly formal. Therapy can feel intimidating, and yes, clipboards and structured approaches have their place! But I want every person who walks through my door, whether in person or virtually, to feel like they’re talking to another human being. My hope is that clients feel safe, seen, and understood from the very first session, and that together, we create a space where growth feels possible, and even a little fun.
Right now, I work primarily with teens, college students, and adults who are looking for a space where they can truly be themselves without fear of judgment. One of the things that keeps me inspired in this work is the feedback I receive from clients and parents with many stating that therapy “feels different” with me. It’s definitely not because I’m doing anything magical! I believe it’s because I prioritize the relationship above all else. I know I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s completely okay! But when I am able to create a space where someone feels safe enough to be vulnerable, to share their fears, their joys, and everything in between, it’s profoundly meaningful. I am so grateful for the clients who allow me to be a passenger in their journey, who trust me with their vulnerabilities, and who make it possible for real growth and connection to happen. For me, that is honestly the heart of therapy and the reason I do what I do.
Clinically, I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Art Therapist, Qualified Supervisor for the state of Florida, and owner of Breaking Waves Counseling. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, depression, trauma, grief, identity development, and supporting individuals through the messy in-between seasons of life. I also have a deep passion for working with individuals navigating fertility challenges, prenatal/postpartum experiences, and the complexities of women’s mental health. As a mother myself, I understand firsthand that motherhood can be profoundly beautiful, and profoundly overwhelming. There are identity shifts, hormonal changes, intrusive thoughts, sleep deprivation, relationship adjustments, and the invisible mental load that no one prepares you for. Supporting women through these transitions feels personal and meaningful to me. It’s a population often expected to “just push through,” when in reality, they deserve compassion, validation, and a space to be human.
My therapeutic approach is person-centered and integrative, which means I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, I tailor each session to the client and pull from different evidence-based modalities and creative techniques depending on what resonates best with that individual. One of my passions is exploring unique and creative avenues to help clients reach their goals. Sometimes that’s talk therapy. Sometimes it’s art therapy. Sometimes it’s humor, metaphor, or walking through the real-life “plot twists” together.
Art therapy is a part of my offerings as well, and it’s something I love introducing to clients who want a different kind of experience. Art therapy taps into emotions and memories in ways that words can’t always reach. It helps us access the “basements” of our brains gently and creatively. And no, you absolutely do not need to be artistic to benefit from it. It’s about expression, not aesthetics!
I’m also incredibly passionate about providing board approved supervision to Registered Mental Health Counseling Interns here in Florida. In our state, qualified supervision is a required, structured process where interns meet regularly with a licensed, board approved LMHC to develop clinical skills, review cases, ensure ethical practice, and receive ongoing professional mentorship as they work toward LMHC licensure. I’ve been shaped by mentors who believed in me during my own valleys, and it means everything to pay that forward. Watching interns navigate their own peaks and valleys and grow into confident, ethical, compassionate clinicians is truly one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
When I think about Breaking Waves Counseling as a brand, I see it as a little slice of who I am…quirky, blunt, occasionally silly, and always human. Therapy doesn’t feel like “schoolwork,” teens actually want to show up, and adults can finally exhale and say what they’ve been holding in. And let’s be real, I’m not the only therapist out there. There are amazing clinicians and incredible practices, each with their own approach. My goal isn’t to be the “one right way,” but to show up authentically, meet clients where they are, and be a trustworthy passenger on their journey. Being granted that trust, seeing people grow, be vulnerable, and embrace their own path is the heart of Breaking Waves. And honestly, I’m so grateful for every single moment of it.
A big part of the brand is The Tide, my blog. It’s another way I stay connected to the heart of this work and offer support beyond the therapy room. It’s an extension of the same energy I bring into session. If Breaking Waves is the practice, The Tide is the personality behind it! It is a way for readers to feel a little more understood, a little more seen, and hopefully, a little more at ease beginning therapy whether that be with me or someone else! The Tide covers the kinds of topics that don’t always get the spotlight they deserve. It’s a mix of honest reflections, humor, education, and the real life messiness. Many posts are inspired by the real themes and questions people bring into the room. The Tide has become one of my favorite ways to extend support and keep things real.
At the end of the day, I’m just a human sitting with another human, helping them navigate their world. And I think that’s what sets Breaking Waves apart from others. It’s therapy with heart, humor, integrity, and an unwavering belief that people don’t need fixing, they just need support, understanding, and a safe space to grow!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think we’re witnessing one of the most significant cultural shifts in mental health history, and it’s only gaining momentum. Over the next 5–10 years, I see our industry continuing to move in an incredibly positive direction, especially when it comes to stigma. Mental health is becoming something people actually talk about now, not whisper about. I hear teens and young adults say things like, “Going to therapy is cool,” and honestly, that still stops me in my tracks in the best way. This generation has been instrumental in normalizing the conversation, advocating fiercely for emotional wellness, and rejecting the idea that vulnerability equals weakness. They’ve changed the landscape for everyone.
We’re also seeing more diversity in who feels safe seeking support. Some of the most historically stigmatized groups like military service members, first responders, and law enforcement professionals, are now increasingly open to discussing mental health, and that’s a massive cultural win. We’re certainly not fully where we need to be yet, but the strides we’ve made are tremendous and worth celebrating.
Another major shift that will continue shaping mental health care is telehealth. As devastating as the COVID-19 pandemic was, it also forced the healthcare system and mental health in particular, to innovate rapidly. Telehealth has become a game-changer for equity and access. Teletherapy has made mental health support more inclusive than ever. People who live in rural areas, who don’t have reliable transportation, who work long or unpredictable hours, who have disabilities or chronic illness, or who simply feel safer reaching out from home now actually have access to consistent, quality care. For many people, that shift wasn’t just convenient, it was the difference between getting care and not getting care at all. Telehealth isn’t just a temporary solution, it’s now a permanent, integral addition to how we provide mental health support.
Clinically, I think the next decade will bring even more innovation. One of the things I’m most passionate about is the expansion of creative, evidence-based, ethically sound therapeutic approaches. One size has never fit all, and it never will. So the fact that our field is embracing new interventions rather than staying rigid is incredibly encouraging. Whether it’s brain-body modalities, expressive therapies, trauma-informed approaches, digital tools, or emerging integrative methods, we’re finally acknowledging that people deserve options that resonate with them. When clients feel like there is a therapeutic path designed for who they are, not who they “should” be, outcomes improve and stigma decreases even further in my opinion!
I see the next decade bringing more acceptance, more access, more innovation, and a more human-centered approach to care across all populations. And as a therapist, I’m genuinely energized to be part of this wave of progress. My favorite thing in this world is watching people feel empowered by their own healing instead of ashamed of needing support. To me, that feels like the most beautiful shift we could ask for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.breaking-waves-counseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breaking_waves_counseling
