Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christian Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Christian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I was fired in 2020, right before the shelter-in-place mandate. The COVID virus was finally being taken seriously. This was the least of my worries because I as already sheltered in place at home. See, I was dealing with a new condition; I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. For about 6 months, I had been dealing with a ridiculous pain in my belly that I had no answers for. I was under 100 pounds in a few short weeks because eating had been unbearable. It was even taking a toll on my ability to hold space for my therapy clients. It’s not like me to cancel sessions, let alone pass out in the middle of one! I had finally decided to figure out what was going on with my body, and took FMLA to protect my position and tend to my own health. Just call me Craig, from the classic movie, Friday, because I was fired on my day off. After being called in to the HR meeting, I was told I was being fired for moonlighting: having my own private practice while also working for them full time. No matter that this was something I made clear when I was hired. I endured months of being bullied at this place and finding that there were others who were running full medical practices outside this place we worked at together. When I was made to walk out, I knew this was a defining moment for me: I would never work for anyone again. It doesn’t sound as empowering as it sounds.
There are so many layers here. I was always a great employee, going above and beyond for those I served first of all (my clients and community), then following rules for the employer. The injustice and unfairness of the way things were handled. triggered the insecurities I was able to ignore because, no matter what, I always knew I was a great worker.
For several reasons, this was a defining moment. The one that stands out is the confirmation I was given to continue to build my brand. I had been ignoring God’s call to something great, despite the signs He gave to set me up before I was fired. Sometimes, we just need that kick in the pants. And it was all I needed to keep looking forward. It’s been a tough ride, being an entrepreneur. Rewarding. Scary. Fulfilling. And a constant reminder that I can do hard things and it’s paying off for myself and those I serve and support.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I’ve always loved helping people. To whatever degree, if I could add something to someone’s day, it’s been reinforcing for me. One of my favorite things is to get to know others. I love a good story and like to understand what makes people tick. I studied psychology for my undergraduate degree and thought I could do therapy right away. Clearly, I needed to understand more of the process. I had my child, got married, finished my Masters and Licensure process, and Viola! I’m now a fully licensed professional counselor, supervisor. The latter part meaning I am qualified by my state to usher others into their full licensure as well. My most recent work, the Daddy Issues Movement, is a result of me doing some interpersonal reflection on the impact my own relationship with my dad has on me. I want to be able to offer services that I knew I needed when I was experiencing some of the most intense anxiety, rejection, and self-worth issues I’ve had in my life. Since I love to write, my books: Daddy Issues: How to Detangle from the Sins of our Fathers, was a natural step for me. I had been in therapy working some things out and journaling. It truly helped me organize what I knew worked for me and my clients. After hearing so many “me too” versions of Daddy Issues, I decided the work I was doing with them needed to be put in one place for everyone to see. My goal with the Daddy Issues Movement is to destigmatize the shame of daddy issues, increase empathy where we are experiencing emotional trauma, and offer empowerment resources to cope. I do this with an introduction to my free resource, which focuses on my prong of supporting women in recovery from relationship trauma. I do this with direct care: therapy, coaching, facilitating therapeutic and support groups. This is where I get to interact with my sisters, who are ready to release the shame and fear traumatic experiences. I take it further, by offering my books, my online courses, and a growing community of women who are on a similar path.
Since I can’t be the only one to do this Daddy Issues work, I also offer consultation with other professionals who want to learn more about this speciality and learn how to treat it from a trauma informed lens. I also host training opportunities for my colleagues on various mental health topics, which always gives me a chance to spread the mission of the Daddy Issues Movement.
By working directly with clients and educating my fellow therapists, life/relationship coaches, the vision is complete!
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I am an amazing therapist. I am well trained and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. The clients I serve come from many different backgrounds and it has been a pleasure to work with them. I pride myself in holding specific certifications within my field so that I can better treat mental health symptoms and implement target treatment plans. That said, the most helpful tools in my field have been the relationships I have with like-minded individuals. They are not necessarily in my industry. It has been rewarding to have conversations with my colleagues in the mental health field. However, there is an amazing advantage to learning across industries. One thing I did not receive in my Masters program was the chance to learn how to run a business. I was so inundated with requirements to get certifications. I believed that the formal education was the locus of my success and the only way I would be taken seriously. After working for myself, I decided to focus more on how I can be a more well-rounded professional. It is so helpful to have objective opinions from someone who does not work in my field because it helps grow and push me in ways that I never would have if I focused on a small sect of professionals.
I fully believe my success comes from being open minded about how I can fulfill the mission I think God gave me. It’s not all in the textbooks!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Consistency is key. I get so excited about all the things I want to do, the content I want to create, and the relationships I want to build. While this is great, it can also prove to be distracting to my audience…it shows if I am not focused. One of the best pieces of advice I received was focusing on one thing at a time in order to master it and allow this thing to be part of a foundation for next steps. It includes making sure I have brand integrity and remain clear in my messaging. I’m still working on this. I learned a long time ago that I needed to show up a certain way in order to be taken seriously. I am young, I look younger, and therefore I thought I needed to act on speaker certain way in order for me to close certain deals. Thought I would only be invited to certain spaces if my hair was straight and I spoke the King’s English. That was bogus. I learned that many of the things I was doing conflicted with my character, beliefs, and core values. After all, it is stressful to wear so many masks at once. I decided to stop code switching, the idea that I must morph my appearance and habits to be accepted.
Be consistent from one room to another and your reputation will surely follow as someone that could be trusted and who is rooted in a good solid foundation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.couchwithchristian.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couchwithchristian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/couchwithchristian
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-jackson-lpc-lpc-s-ncc-805b5879/
- Other: https://couchwithchristian.thinkific.com/courses/isitme
Image Credits
Kendra Knight Britney Turner