We recently connected with Ashanta Venise Campbell MBA, MMFT and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashanta Venise 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.
One defining moment in my professional career came shortly after I completed my MBA. I was ready to dive into the business world and apply my newfound skills, but something didn’t feel quite right. Despite having a promising career path ahead, I felt a persistent tugging on my heart—a calling to become an advocate for children who are without representation. This inner sense of purpose left me feeling unsettled in my current career.
In seeking clarity, I turned to prayer, wise counsel, and the encouragement of those close to me. It was through this reflective process that I made a pivotal decision: to return to school to become a therapist. This decision led me to Abilene Christian University, where I enrolled in their Marriage and Family Therapy program with a concentration in child and adolescent therapy.
Making the decision to obtain my second master’s degree was both challenging and rewarding. It required stepping away from a comfortable and established career path, but it ultimately allowed me to align my professional life with my personal mission. The training and education I received at Abilene Christian University equipped me to provide much-needed support and advocacy for children, and repair the breech the family system has endured, fulfilling the calling that had tugged at my heart.
This experience has taught me several valuable lessons. Firstly, it’s crucial to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and be open to change, even when it involves stepping out of your comfort zone. Secondly, seeking guidance from trusted mentors and loved ones can provide the clarity and support needed to make significant life decisions. Lastly, pursuing your true passions can lead to a more fulfilling and impactful career.
For anyone feeling a similar sense of unrest in their current career path, I would advise embracing that discomfort as an opportunity for growth. Reflect deeply, seek counsel, and have the courage to lean into the discomfort. Sometimes, the path you are meant to follow becomes clear when you dare to step out in faith and pursue what truly matters to you.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Ashanta Venise, and I am deeply honored to share my journey with you. As a mother of two, a dedicated Holy Spirit Led counselor, and a Christian coach, my mission is to provide holistic support that integrates professional expertise with spiritual guidance. Let me take you through how I got into this transformative work, the services I offer, and what sets my practice apart.
My path into counseling and coaching began with a personal calling. After completing my MBA, I felt a persistent tugging on my heart to become an advocate for children who lack representation. This sense of purpose led me to Abilene Christian University, where I pursued a second master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in child and adolescent therapy. This academic journey, coupled with prayer and wise counsel, paved the way for my career in counseling and coaching.
Services and Focus
At Therapeuo Counseling + Coaching Center, I provide a range of services both online and in-person, with a primary focus on the family system. My mission is to offer comprehensive support that addresses the unique dynamics and challenges families face, particularly those arising from the often-overlooked healing needs of parents. I am dedicated to mending the breaches within the family system, promoting restoration and harmony. My services include:
Individual and Family Counseling: Tailored to help clients navigate personal and relational challenges.
Christian Coaching: Integrating biblical principles and spiritual guidance to foster growth and transformation.
Parenting Support Group: I founded the Therapeuo Parenting Network (TPN), a space dedicated to offering information, support, and prayer for parents. This group is designed to bring hope and deliverance from old mindsets that keep parents stuck in cycles of dysfunction.
What Sets Me Apart
What truly sets my practice apart is the integration of professional knowledge with divine guidance. Therapeuo Counseling + Coaching Center is a Holy Spirit-led initiative, creating a unique counseling experience that blends the wisdom of both worlds. By inviting the Holy Spirit into each session, I seek to facilitate a transformative journey for my clients, helping them uncover profound truths and achieve complete restoration.
Proud Achievements and Community Impact
One of my proudest achievements is the creation of the Therapeuo Parenting Network. Guided by Jesus’s commission in Matthew 10, this support group aims to foster self-awareness, transformation, and a sense of community among parents. Through TPN, I strive to bring hope and healing, breaking cycles of dysfunction and empowering parents to create healthier family environments.
Connecting with Clients and Followers
I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is dedicated to fostering self-awareness, transformation, and a strong sense of community. At Therapeuo Counseling + Coaching Center, we believe in the power of divine guidance to lead us towards healing and growth. Whether through individual sessions, family counseling, or group support, my goal is to support each client on their unique journey.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most transformative lessons I had to unlearn was the notion that I needed to feel completely ready and unafraid before making significant changes in my life. The backstory to this lesson is rooted in a major career pivot that required me to leave the familiar comfort of corporate America and step into the uncertain world of entrepreneurship.
For many years, I thrived in the structured and predictable environment of the corporate world. The consistency it brought in terms of schedule, income, and career progression was reassuring. However, there was a persistent tugging on my heart, a calling to pursue something more aligned with my passion for helping others, particularly children and families in need of support.
Making the decision to leave corporate America was a big deal. It meant relinquishing the security and stability I had grown accustomed to and stepping into a new, uncharted territory. This transition required a level of faith and trust in God that I had not previously experienced. The lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to be fearless and fully prepared before making such a significant move.
The truth is, sometimes you have to “do it scared.” The fear of the unknown and the discomfort of change are natural, but they shouldn’t be deterrents from pursuing your true calling. I learned to embrace my fears, trusting that God was leading me in the right direction, even if I couldn’t see the entire path ahead.
This leap of faith taught me to trust God in a different way. It allowed me to grow in numerous areas, both personally and professionally. I became more aware of my strengths and areas of opportunity. I learned to lean into my faith, understanding that true growth often comes from stepping out of our comfort zones and facing our fears head-on.
For anyone contemplating a significant life change, my advice is this: don’t wait until you feel completely ready or unafraid. Sometimes, the most profound growth and fulfillment come from taking bold steps, even when you’re scared. Trust in God’s plan, embrace the journey, and remember that it’s okay to do it scared.
By unlearning the need for complete readiness and fearlessness, I was able to pivot my career and fulfill my calling in a way that has brought immense joy and purpose to my life. This lesson continues to shape my approach to challenges and opportunities, reminding me that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If I could go back, I would undoubtedly choose the same profession and specialty. Every step of my journey, including my initial pursuit of an MBA, has played a crucial role in shaping the path I am on today. Nothing I have experienced has been wasted; each moment has equipped me for the work I am passionately engaged in now.
Starting with my MBA, it provided me with a strong foundation in business acumen, strategic thinking, and organizational skills. These skills have been invaluable as I transitioned from the corporate world to establishing my own counseling and coaching practice. The MBA has helped me build and manage my business effectively, allowing me to serve my clients with both professional and spiritual excellence.
My career pivot to become a counselor and Christian coach was guided by a deep calling to help children and families. This decision was a leap of faith, but it was one that aligned perfectly with my personal mission and passion. My education in Marriage and Family Therapy, with a concentration in child and adolescent therapy, has enabled me to provide the specialized support that my clients need.
Looking back, I see how every experience—whether in the corporate sector or in academic pursuits—has contributed to my growth and readiness for this role. The challenges I faced, the skills I acquired, and the wisdom I gained along the way have all been integral to my journey. My entire life has equipped me for this profession, making me more empathetic, knowledgeable, and effective in my work.
Therefore, I have no regrets. Each phase of my career has been a building block, leading me to where I am today. I am grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped me and for the opportunity to integrate them into my current practice.
In conclusion, if given the chance, I would choose the same path all over again. The blend of business knowledge from my MBA and the deep fulfillment of helping others through counseling and coaching has been a perfect combination. This journey has not only allowed me to follow my calling but also to create a meaningful impact on the lives of those I serve.
Contact Info:
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Image Credits
DMeshellphoto