From Therapist to Spiritual Guide: How I Answered the Soul Tap – An Interview with Dixie Willis

What if burnout isn’t the end of the road, but the beginning of your soul’s true calling?

For Dixie Willis, a pivotal moment in a packed therapy office became the catalyst for transformation. Though her clinical career was meaningful and successful, it wasn’t until she heeded a quiet inner voice—what she calls a “soul tap”—that she stepped fully into her multidimensional path. Her story is not one of sudden awakening, but of gradual alignment, where spiritual gifts, therapeutic wisdom, and deep listening came together to serve others on a higher plane.

In this conversation, Dixie shares how she navigated the transition from therapist to spiritual life coach, how she helps clients reconnect with purpose through intuitive practices, and why our earliest passions often hold the keys to our deepest joy. Continue reading or listen in by subscribing for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Dixie Willis’ insights can inspire your spiritual path.

Did you grow up with a faith tradition, or did your spiritual path begin later in life?

Dixie Willis: I’m from the South, so I was raised in the Baptist church and also spent time in the Church of Christ. I had friends who were Catholic, so I enjoyed going to different churches and experiencing various religions.

But the true awakening came much later. I was in my therapy office, completely burned out—seeing clients back to back and spending every weekend buried in paperwork. It was as if my soul sat me down and gave me what I now call a “soul tap.” The message was clear: stop, take care of yourself, and work with people on a higher level of consciousness. I was being called to help the planet heal—not just in a clinical setting, but on a much broader scale.

It wasn’t that I didn’t love working with my clients. I truly did. But I felt like a caged bird in that small office, and my soul was asking for something more expansive. Even though it was subtle, the inner knowing was deep, and I knew I had to make a change.

In your Awakened Hearts chapter, you wrote about having intuitive gifts before becoming a licensed therapist. What led you to pursue a more traditional path and then later return to spiritual work?

Dixie Willis: One thing I want people to know is that our purpose doesn’t have to be just one thing.

Before I became a therapist, I ran a spiritual business for five years. But I think part of me—maybe my ego, maybe societal pressure—felt like I needed to have “real” credentials. I thought being taken seriously meant getting a master’s degree and following a more traditional route.

I attended school for clinical mental health and spent years building my career in this field. I genuinely loved working with people, but I felt like I couldn’t fully express my spiritual gifts. In the clinical world, there are constraints. I couldn’t openly practice spirit mediumship, Reiki, or shamanic journeys—things that are central to who I am.

That inner voice—the soul tap—reminded me that I needed to return to the path where I could serve more freely and authentically. I still deeply value mental health work and my colleagues in that space, but I needed to be in a space where I could integrate my gifts without limitation. That’s what brought me back to spiritual life coaching.

That must have been a difficult decision—to leave a career you worked so hard to build. How did you make peace with it?

Dixie Willis: It was tough. Even though I knew deep down it was the right choice, it took a lot of soul searching to actually follow through.

I wouldn’t advise someone to just walk away from their career without a plan. I had savings, and I transferred my clients ethically. I went on retreat to find quiet, stillness, and truly listen to my soul. It took me about eight months to officially have my license inactivated.

I work with so many clients—doctors, lawyers, military veterans—who feel stuck in careers they’ve invested years into. So I understand that fear. The “golden handcuffs” of a steady paycheck and the comfort of stability can be powerful. But I’ve found that when people leap that space of deep inner knowing, they rarely regret it.

I had to be smart and practical, but I also had to honor my soul’s call. I worked with a coach who told me to rest first because I was completely burned out. Then I did the deep inner work, and that’s when I knew it was time. It wasn’t an overnight decision—it was a process. But I have no regrets.

Looking back, how do you view your time as a therapist now? Was any of it lost or wasted?

Dixie Willis: Not at all. None of it was wasted.

My time as a therapist and everything I went through during that period helped shape who I am today. I use that experience every day in my coaching sessions. It taught me how to listen deeply, hold space, and support people through transformation.

For anyone considering a big change, I always say: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You don’t need to make a massive leap right away. Start with tiny steps—things that bring you joy, whether it’s spending more time in nature or connecting with like-minded people.

Purpose doesn’t have to be a job title. It can be a way of living. And sometimes, it’s in those small daily choices that our greatest transformations begin.

You write about asking people “What do you want?” and “What do you love?”—questions that point toward joy. But what if someone doesn’t know what brings them joy?

Dixie Willis: I love Bashar and Darryl Anka’s message of following what excites you—it’s simple and powerful. But for many people, it’s not easy to answer.

When I work with clients, I often start by asking what they want—and many of them honestly don’t know. Life can get so busy, especially if you’re a parent or caretaker. We get caught up in doing and forget how to be simple. I’ve experienced that myself. There was a time when I couldn’t answer the question, “What do I want?” because I was too wrapped up in the roles I was playing.

So if someone doesn’t know what brings them joy, I guide them back into themselves. I recommend getting outside, barefoot in the grass, and grounding with the earth. If possible, being near water is even more powerful. From there, I invite them to sit quietly, place their hands over their heart, close their eyes, and breathe. Then ask from the heart—not the mind—“What brings me joy?” or “What excites me?”

Sometimes the answers don’t come right away. That’s okay. I always recommend journaling. When I was transitioning from clinical work back into spiritual work, I journaled daily. I wrote down every job, career, and volunteer experience I’d had since I was ten years old. Through that, I realized how much I loved writing. I’ve always expressed my heart through the written word. It reawakened something I had let go of.

I ask clients, “What have you done in life that made you lose track of time?” That’s a sign—what I call a “soul tap.” If you loved something at 15, like writing or drawing, try returning to it. Even if it scares you, that edge of fear can mean it matters. These are often clues pointing us back to joy.

When I was a teen, I joined a journalism class and was introduced to photography. I loved creating things that others could enjoy. And now, looking back, I see how formative those experiences were. Do you help your kids reflect in that way, especially as they face decisions about what’s next?

Dixie Willis: Absolutely. My son just turned 18 and will be starting college in the fall. He’s entering as an exploratory student because he’s not yet sure what path he wants to take—and that’s okay. I didn’t know what I wanted at that age either. In fact, I probably shouldn’t have gone to college right away because I didn’t have clarity.

But what he does know is that he loves art and music. For his birthday, I got him an amp, and his dad bought him an electric guitar. He’s been drawing album-cover-worthy art and learning to play. I encourage that creativity. I don’t want to force him into a rigid path, because I’ve seen what happens when we suppress our soul’s calling. It’s not that traditional paths are wrong—they just aren’t right for everyone.

My daughter recently graduated from the University of Alabama. She studied abroad in France, speaks French fluently, and is now exploring how to weave that creative part of her into her future. I encourage both of them to nurture their creative gifts because those passions are not accidental—they’re part of who we are.

It’s incredible how, as we age, the fragments of our lives begin to form a mosaic. Suddenly, the seemingly random experiences come together with purpose.

Dixie Willis: Yes! I love how you said that—a mosaic. You’re a publisher, a writer, and all the pieces from your youth came together to support what you’re doing now.

It’s the same for me. I’ve always loved working with people. Since I was a little girl, helping others brought me joy. I remember being in New Orleans with my mother and seeing a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. My heart was moved, and I asked her if we could get him some food. There was a McDonald’s nearby, and we bought him a meal. That moment stuck with me.

Small gestures like that shaped who I am. Throughout my life, I’ve expressed that same compassion in different ways—through clinical work, coaching, and now spiritual service. These threads are all connected. I tell my clients: pay attention to those soul taps, even from childhood. They mean something. They’re guiding you.

How do you work with individuals, primarily one-on-one, right? What are the modalities you offer, and what challenges do people usually bring to you?

Dixie Willis: Yes, I work one-on-one, and I also facilitate group sessions. My background as a licensed professional counselor gives me a strong clinical foundation, but I also serve as a spiritual life coach. I draw on my past and present experiences, and I’m also a Reiki Master. While I used to offer in-person sessions, I now focus on distance healing, spirit mediumship, and shamanic journeys—all of which are available as separate session offerings.

The most common issue I see in clients is burnout. People often feel exhausted, disenchanted, and disconnected from a sense of meaning. Deep down, they know there’s more to life—they feel it in their bones. I’ve lived that myself, which is why I can help them move through it. In our sessions, we don’t stay on the surface. We dive deep. I ask powerful questions to guide them back to the core of who they are and what they truly want to bring into the world.

Do you offer all those modalities upfront, or do you usually begin with coaching and see what emerges over time?

Dixie Willis: I typically start with a complimentary 15-minute discovery call to determine if we’re a good fit and to gain a clear understanding of the client’s goals and objectives. If it’s something more clinical—like trauma or suicidal ideation—I would need to refer them out. But if we’re aligned, we often begin with spiritual life coaching.

Some clients want a specific experience, such as a Reiki session, a spirit medium session, or a shamanic journey. Others choose a package of spiritual life coaching sessions and may try different modalities along the way. I love the flexibility of this approach. It allows people to explore and discover what resonates with them. That’s something I couldn’t always offer in the clinical world, but I can now, and it’s incredibly fulfilling.

Is all of this available online, or do you also offer in-person work?

Dixie Willis: Currently, I offer online sessions only.

What does your group work typically look like?

Dixie Willis: I keep my groups intimate—no more than 8 to 12 participants. I may lead a meditation or build the group around a central theme. In the past, I led a group called “Know Thyself,” which centered on the question: “Who am I?” It resonated deeply with participants.

Group themes vary. Sometimes we explore grief. At other times, we explore our life purpose. These sessions may last between six to eight weeks, depending on the individual’s needs. I like to stay responsive—if I notice a common thread across my clients, I’ll often build a group around that theme.

Beyond your chapter in Awakened Hearts, you’re also working on your book entitled You Are in This World, Not Of It: Remember Who You Are and Create the Life You Love. Tell me about that. Why did you write it?

Dixie Willis: First, I want to express my excitement about being part of Awakened Hearts. It’s a beautiful collaboration, and I’m so grateful to contribute to it.

My book, “You Are in This World, Not of It,” is a memoir. I share stories from my life—some very difficult, some incredibly joyful—with the intention of reminding people that they’re not alone. We’re more alike than we are different. At the end of each chapter, I include reflective questions to help readers reflect on their core identity.

One of the main themes is this: we are spirits having a human experience. That truth isn’t a secret, but the more people truly understand it, the more empowered they feel. The book invites readers to explore what that really means. If you’re a spiritual being in a physical body, how would you live differently? We are creators, and we have the ability to craft a life we love. But many of us get stuck and let life happen to us instead of creating with intention. My hope is that this book helps people realize they have the power to change—if they’re willing to do the deep, meaningful work.

And this will be released in summer 2025, correct?

Dixie Willis: Yes, summer 2025! I’m actively working on it now.

Your emphasis on life purpose is so compelling. That’s the area I feel most called to in coaching, too. It’s powerful when we can help someone see the greatness inside themselves, even when they can’t see it yet.

Dixie Willis: Yes! I absolutely love that. I can often see it in someone before they can. But as a coach, it’s our job to help them see it, believe it, and embody it for themselves. I’m just there to cheer them on and help guide the way. It’s a beautiful process—watching someone realize what’s already been inside them all along.

A therapist friend once told me that trying to help someone see their issues or their purpose is like trying to get your dog to watch TV—you’re holding their face, but their attention is all over the place.

Dixie Willis: Yes, but the beautiful thing—and I know you’ve seen this too, David—is that when they do get it, it’s everything. There it is. That spark, that moment of recognition, brings me so much joy. Watching someone live on purpose, live with joy, and create the life they truly want—that’s powerful. That’s why I do this work. We are all love at our core, and when someone starts living from that place, it’s beautiful to witness.

As someone who’s walked a deep spiritual path for some time, and who is aware of other teachers while observing all that’s unfolding in the world, what do you think is happening right now? What do you see from your perspective?

Dixie Willis: Social media can be both empowering and disheartening, so I try not to spend too much time in that space. I prefer to align with love rather than fear. There’s a lot of chaos in the world right now, and I’m actually writing an article touching on this.

We’re at a choice point. As a human race, we can come together—or we can keep throwing mud and arguing just to be right. That doesn’t solve anything. Years ago, I saw Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Eckhart Tolle on stage together, talking about higher consciousness. That conversation deeply moved me, and I truly believe—on a soul level—that we are shifting.

My hope is that we move more and more toward love. Fear manifests as division: I’m right, you’re wrong. That cycle of fighting never leads to peace. What I hope to inspire through my work and writing is the awareness that we are all one. At the root of everything is love. If we truly embodied that truth—that we are spiritual beings having a human experience—so much of this chaos would dissolve. We’d raise our collective consciousness. We’d take better care of each other and the planet. We’d lead with love.

Your website is dixiewillis.com, and you’re also active on Facebook and LinkedIn. I really encourage everyone to visit Dixie’s site and book that free 15-minute discovery call to explore how she might support your journey. Thank you for the work you’re doing, Dixie. You’re making a powerful difference.

Dixie Willis: And thank you, too. You’re doing incredible work as well. I deeply appreciate you and this time we shared.