Meet Kimberlee Herman of Redeemed Hope Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberlee Herman

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in a home where both parents carried unhealed personal and generational trauma, coupled with a special needs brother whose condition was rarely discussed, I learned early on that sharing my feelings was not safe. Now don’t get me wrong, my parents did the best they could and they did give me a great childhood where I have a lot of fond memories. That was what made things so confusing though. On the outside our home seemed great—shiny and happy. Yet, inside, there was often a lack of emotional support and an unspoken rule against sharing feelings. While my dad was my refuge, I still did not feel I could pour my heart out to him for various reasons. This environment led me to therapy in college, where I was struggling with depression and anxiety. For the first time, I felt safe sharing my feelings in a non-judgmental space where I felt validated and understood. As you can imagine, it was a transformative experience.

I found myself returning to therapy at different seasons in my life before I realized I wanted to help others in the same way I had been helped. In my early 30’s, I embarked on a journey to become a therapist, earning my master’s degree. I spent 12 years as a licensed therapist before transitioning into clinical pastoral counseling. This shift allows me to help guide people in their spiritual lives, fostering deeper healing through a connection with God. With now over 21 years in the counseling field, I’ve seen the profound impact of bringing healing prayer into cognitive/psychological work.

Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to write a few books, including Women of the Bible and Wise Parenting: Guidelines from the Book of Proverbs. I’ve also authored and handled all the artwork for My Christian Counseling Companion and My Self-Care Counseling Companion. Additionally, I co-host a national radio show (and podcast), Wyatt Matters. I will be launching my own podcast, Promise Hill, in April 2025. Promise Hill takes a unique approach to mental health, offering self-help strategies for those who may not have access to counseling or prefer not to pursue it.

It’s incredible to look back at my teenage years and see how far I’ve come. Life’s journey is full of unexpected turns. As a teenager and young adult, my focus was finding people who could help me regulate my emotions and make sense of my experiences. Now, that mission has come full circle—I’m able to help others find their path to emotional and spiritual wellness.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a private practice can be daunting. Will clients come? Will they continue to return?

I’ve started my own practice three times, each time due to a move to a different state. Each new beginning came with its own set of challenges—business started slow, as expected. But over time, clients kept returning, and word-of-mouth referrals began to build. I also built relationships with a few pastors who referred clients to me, I gave talks at a local church, and I listed my practice on a Christian counseling directory. One of the key factors that helped me succeed was having a clear niche—spirit-filled counseling—which often leads clients to find me through specific Google searches.

As a pastoral counselor, I also bathe my business in prayer. Trusting that the right people would find me.

If you’re starting your own small business, I encourage you to reflect on what sets you apart. What makes your service stand out? Why should a potential client choose you over others? Defining your unique value will help you identify the people you most want to work with, and it will guide your advertising efforts to attract the right clients. Clarity on what makes your service different can be a game-changer as you grow your business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Redeemed Hope Counseling?
While I’m mainly known for my faith-based spiritual counseling, I also love writing and digital art. For my Counseling Companion books, I put together all the artwork with help from using Canva, which has been such a fun creative process. While I am on a radio/podcast show (Wyatt Matters) I’m also working on my own podcast called Promise Hill (launching in April 2025) where it will be a mix of stories and self-help. It’s a new direction for me, stepping into the world of audio storytelling, and I’m both excited and a little (ha! REALLY) nervous about it. But I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me as I hope to help as many people as possible with action steps for self-care and encouragement.

After 21 years as a counselor, I’ve come to see how important it is to help and reach people in various ways, not just the one-on-one model. My practice is growing into something broader with books and podcasting becoming key parts of my approach. By sharing my work through these platforms, I can offer guidance and support to a wider audience, helping people move past the stuck places in their lives and find meaningful growth not just with their minds but also in their spiritual lives. My hope is that this heartfelt approach brings a fresh perspective and reaches people in a way that truly speaks to them.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is using self-care.

In the first few years as a therapist I used to pour everything I had into helping others, working long hours and stretching myself too thin. My work-life balance was almost nonexistent, and over time, I felt the weight of compassion fatigue. I’d push myself until I had no choice but to take long breaks just to recover.

At first, I saw this as a sign of my deep love for people—a willingness to give them my all. But I eventually realized (with the help of seasoned counselors) that giving my all didn’t mean giving myself away. I had to learn to take care of myself first. I needed boundaries around my time, a way to release the pain and trauma I carried from my client’s stories, and the discipline to practice the same self-care tools I recommended to them. Most importantly, I had to surrender it all to God in my own quiet moments of prayer.

For many years now I have prioritized self-care by honoring my limits, taking time off of work, prayer, journaling, mindfulness, and taking nature walks. And you know what? I’m able to support my clients from an even stronger and more effective position.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.redeemedhopeaz.com
• Instagram: redeemed.hope

Image Credits
Amber Pommerening-Wheeler and Chad Dahlquist