Dr. Michele Cooley-Strickland is a clinical psychologist who has made it her life’s work to figure out why we get in our own way on the path to success. 

Along with her faculty research and teaching duties at UCLA and Johns Hopkins, she’s a therapist, life coach, elected community official, and a founder and CEO.

In 2016, the City of Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women honored her contributions to improving the lives of the city’s women and girls with the Pioneer Woman Award.

This her beauty story.

“Where are you from” is a bit of a complex question for me. I was born in France, but am mostly from Virginia. I’ve lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina as well. I’ve been a resident of Los Angeles for over a decade and love it.

I’m fortunate to have earned degrees that afford me lots of flexibility so I’ve done – and I do – a lot of things that make my life fun, meaningful, and interesting! I try to embody what John Wooden said, “Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” I believe doing so leads to an enriched, joyful, and beautiful life.

First, I’m a wife to a very supportive husband and mother to two beautiful daughters whom I adore. Second, I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with my own private practice, Real Optimal Living. What’s unique to my practice is that after the initial in-person session, I “meet with” my therapy and life coaching clients over the telephone or Skype. It’s perfect for folks with busy lifestyles who want support in becoming their Best Selves.

Third, I am the founder and CEO of a company that mentors professional women. Fourth, I’m a Research Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Fifth, I’m an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Mental Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Sixth, I was elected as a Residential District Director for my Neighborhood Council. Lastly, I volunteer as a Sunday School teacher at my church.

A few months ago, I lightened my hair…significantly! It’s been fun and flirty, and I’ve loved seeing a different “me.” I’m thinking of going back darker because of the toll the full-head highlights has taken on my hair. Although I love the color, it’s not worth having dry, damaged hair. When it comes to beauty, healthy trumps everything else.

The most beautiful person I know is my mother, even though she now lives in heaven. She epitomized beauty in both appearance and character. She was the homecoming queen of her college, never left the house without doing her hair and applying makeup, kept up with fashion, and maintained control of her weight all through her life. Plus, she started practicing yoga way before it was a thing.

Even when she was ill and we had to put her in a nursing home, my mother told us to make sure her hair was done and she “looked nice.” From childhood on, I was always proud to bring my mother anywhere because I knew she’d look beautiful, and vowed that I wanted to be that type of mother to my children.