Kim Sorgenti, our NJ Mompreneur of the Week, has always loved working with kids, and after working for a child and family development center, she knew what she wanted her future to be. After earning a master’s in social work and working with foster families, Kim was at a crossroads—she wanted to continue doing direct therapy but didn’t want to work the hours in the field when she started a family. Fast forward to 2022, when she founded South Jersey Counseling and Wellness, specializing in helping kids and adults overcome trauma, grief and loss, depression, ADHD, behavioral challenges, relationship conflict, and parenting. Best of all, it allows her to have a flexible schedule, enabling her to care for and spend quality time with her own family. We caught up with this married Marlton mom to twins, Michael and Cecilia, 10, to discover specifically why she went into private practice, her favorite place to do yoga (bonus reason: they offer free days for families to attend!), and the South Jersey spot where you can find her and her family hiking with their dog, Luna.
Please share a bit about your family and background. I’m originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I attended Rider University for my undergraduate studies and graduated with a degree in Psychology—it’s where my husband, Mike, and I met. I got my Master’s in Social Work from Temple University. When we were looking for a home, we settled in Mike’s hometown, Marlton, in 2009, and it’s proven to be a great place to raise our 10-year-old twins, Michael and Cecilia. We love the small-town feel and the fact that it’s so close to Philly, plus we really lucked out with our neighborhood. We’ve all made the greatest friends here.
Please share a bit about your career background and the “aha moment” that led you to launch South Jersey Counseling and Wellness. I started with an undergraduate degree in psychology and worked at a child and family development center serving children from birth to age 3. While working there, I earned my Master’s in Social Work and began working at a foster care agency while completing home studies in the Philadelphia area. I realized I loved doing direct therapy with children and families in foster care, but it is a 24/7 type of work, and I knew I’d be starting a family and wanting something with a bit more flexibility. After working in school, I launched my business in 2022, primarily to prioritize my family and work around their needs so that I can give my best to them and my clients. I was missing too much time with my kids, including most Saturdays and many of their practices and games, and now I get to prioritize my family when they need me the most.
What sets South Jersey Counseling and Wellness apart from other mental health businesses? I think one of the most beautiful things about therapy is that the therapeutic relationship is at the core of the practice–you really do get something different from different therapists. That said, I love learning, and I’m continually growing in knowledge because science and information are constantly advancing and expanding. I find it fascinating, and I love that this career is a lifelong learning experience for me, which ultimately benefits my clients extraordinarily as well.
Aside from making a positive difference in your clients’ lives, what else do you love about this particular business? The mental health community is so connected and so supportive. About six months after launching my business, I began taking on graduate-level interns to shadow me, and it was a great decision. I find it so rewarding to help other therapists get their start.
What do you hope your children learn from seeing you do this? I love what I do, and because of that, I never feel like I’m working. I hope that they, too, choose a path that allows them to do something that fulfills them and that they pursue it to the highest level.
What is the most rewarding thing about working for yourself? What about the most challenging thing? It’s really rewarding that, for the most part, I get to decide what my work-life balance looks like, depending on my family’s needs at any given time. Sometimes that means more work time, and sometimes it’s more family time, but no one else is dictating what my day-to-day life looks like. It’s ironic, but the most challenging thing about working for myself is also the most rewarding. To find that work-life balance, I need to be aware of what’s happening on both sides at all times, and that balancing act isn’t easy or perfect.
Tell us about some of your favorite NJ businesses and local spots, and why you love them. Balanced Planet Yoga is my number one go-to, and it’s a great thing for our community. It’s a lovely, safe, and supportive space offering various yoga practices and workshops, and they also have special days when family members can attend for free. Another favorite is Palladino’s Market, an incredible Italian market that’s just as great for a quick, easy dinner or a bite. They just catered my husband’s 40th birthday party, and the grazing table they created was just as gorgeous as it was delicious! Also, it’s so fun to walk around the Rancocas Woods Village Shops. This lovely little strip of shops includes an excellent second-hand bookshop, a café, an antique shop, and a farmer’s market, plus they have many different types of interesting events there, too. I must also share how special Black Run Preserve is, thanks to its beautiful nature and diverse wildlife. The whole family loves hiking and exploring this 1,300-acre gem, including our dog, Luna.
What’s your best practical advice for a mompreneur just starting? It’s essential to find your ‘why’ and have a clear intention of what’s most important to you. Figuring out what you want your company to look like helps bring you a vision. Also, be flexible, have grace for yourself, and realize that balance isn’t always equal. And lastly, find your tribe. It’s so important to have supportive people who are in your corner and will help you push your business forward, whether it’s through advice, as a sounding board, for encouragement, or those who can step in when you’re in a jam. You might find your support system within your field, or it might even be comprised of people from your family and friend group.
For more information on Kim Sorgenti and South Jersey Counseling and Wellness, please visit their website, Facebook page, and Instagram page.
