We were lucky to catch up with Angela T. Jackson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
I’ve been told by clients that I am a “Godsend”.
This says to me that they feel like progress is being made and that our connection is somehow divine or timely in their lives. While it takes time to build a therapeutic relationship, it seems to happen quickly between me and my clients.
At a time when I felt like giving up on my profession and throwing it all away, a client from years past walked through the door and said she wanted to thank me for leading her to Christ. She followed up by saying it was NOTHING I SAID but rather how I lived my life.
Therapy has a way of deepening your faith; helping the hopeless find hope and the wounded find safety. Some clients request Christian counseling while others request a counselor who is a Christian. Others have no preference at all. They just need the help and appreciate the space that I’m able to create for them.
As for me? I get to be my authentic self either way. You get my experience, my support, my discernment, my empathy, my care, lack of judgment, my mind, my spirit, my belief in change, my belief in God. It all enters the room ready for work. Sure, I know that I can not impress my personal beliefs on my clients. The core of what I believe is a lived experience and has a way of showing up through the care provided.
I love what Proverbs 11:24 says. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Angela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Absolutely! I’m the Founder and CEO of The Jackson Impact Mental Health Solutions LLC; a private practice established in the heart of the pandemic. I am affectionately known as “the face” of The Jackson Impact. I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Tennessee with National Counselor Certification holding a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, Nashville.
I have worked with a wide range of clients with a wide range of challenges impacting their lives through her compassion, empathy and care. Through the years, my work included one on one therapy, group settings and couples/family therapy. I currently provide individual counseling and couples counseling services and I’m looking forward to adding more services to my practice this year! As a speaker, this has allowed me to tailor presentations that are sure to transform any audience; staff trainings, workshops, conferences, you name it! I’m especially passionate about working with patients who struggle with digestive and other autoimmune diseases due to my own story with Crohn’s Disease. I address the initial adjustment, anxiety and depression that comes with chronic illness as well as sudden life changes. While I have been known to provide services for a diverse group of clients, I extend my reach in underserved, BIPOC communities where mental health care is highly stigmatized. I would say that my therapeutic approach is client-centered, solution-focused and humanistic in nature.
I have served 12+ years in the helping field blazing trails as a mentor, educator, advocate, therapist, clinical supervisor, author and a transformational speaker. I have published a book of journal prompts illustrated by my eldest son. I have been featured in publications such as the Nashville Voyager online magazine, Gallatin News and quoted in the Independent Appeal. I have present on the stages for the Success Women’s Conference, the Level Up Conference, the Black Champions Network of General Mills and well as being featured on international podcast platforms either as a guest or cohost. I volunteer as a support group leader for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (Tennessee Chapter) and an ambassador for COCCI (Color of Crohn’s and Chronic Illness). As a believer in Christ, I have been known to facilitate workshops that merge faith in God and mental wellness.
I’m a devoted wife and loving mother of 3 amazing individuals who support me through every endeavor. I believe that all people are capable of change. I urge the community not to suffer in silence, embrace difficult conversations, break generational curses and interrupt the stigma on mental health.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
This is a very interesting question! I don’t necessarily know that I would choose this profession. I believe this profession chose me. I have often said that my passion has developed out of pain points in my life such as neglect, loss, rejection, devastation, dysfunction, and the list could go on.
I can honestly say that I recall having an overwhelming desire to be the person, the mentor, the support that I didn’t have in my time of need. As a mental health professional, I believe that anyone can learn skills but the ability to engage and connect is a gift. Without the ability to connect many people miss the opportunity to impact the total person; the mind, the body, and soul of mankind. The ability to evoke change is what’s so impactful! I’m often humbled by testimonials from people who’ve experienced growth through The Jackson Impact.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I must say that the pandemic pressed me to pivot in my life, my career and my business. During the time that I was working toward criteria of becoming a licensed professional counselor, I had already started developing my brand. I had already started taking on opportunities to show up as well as becoming more visible. When the world began to change and mandates became even more strict in terms of quarantines and social distancing, I had to make a decision as to whether I would keep my position as a clinical supervisor or would I focus on homeschooling my children. I decided to do both and shortly it was clear that one or the other was going to be neglected. After prayer and consultation, It became clear that it was time for me to take a leap of faith and turn my mental health movement into a business entity. This was the birth of The Jackson Impact Mental Health Solutions LLC. I began working from home providing teletherapy services on my own time and being present for my children during a time of uncertainty and adjustment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thejacksonimpact.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theeangelatjackson?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejacksonimpact?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: @jacksonimpact
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1APg43Py8SxLuTJHMvrO9umt2JdPVfITnjniZ40Ze7rAMtB8fgNUow5c8&v=qn0tHAzGyqw&feature=youtu.be&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
- Other: Business IG: https://instagram.com/the.jackson.impact?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Donzaleigh’s Photography Personal Photos from Angela T. Jackson