We recently connected with Candace Oglesby and have shared our conversation below.

Candace, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, my journey took an unexpected turn, leading me to establish Jurnee Mental Health Consulting, LLC. At that point, I had spent approximately two years working in a group private practice, navigating the complexities of providing therapy during a time when the world was grappling with unprecedented challenges and social unrest was happening.

Being in the height of COVID became a backdrop to my realization that there were untapped facets of my professional identity waiting to be explored. I had previously dabbled in teaching and consulting before the pandemic, but it was during this period that invitations to be a subject matter expert in mental health started pouring in. The recognition of my expertise created opportunities for teaching, training, and consulting that I had never envisioned before for myself. I always thought once I made it to private practice this is where I would spend the rest of my days professionally until I retired.

The realization struck me: I possessed gifts, skills, and talents beyond the traditional therapist role I had been embodying and what I knew to be. My journey through graduate school had primarily focused on honing my skills as a psychotherapist, and the entrepreneurial aspects were left unexplored and unacknowledged. It was time to redefine the narrative for myself and to give myself the permission to step outside of the box.

In the transformative year of 2020, amid the chaos and uncertainty, I made a conscious decision to harness my clinical psychology degree and clinical license in a way that went beyond the confines of one-on-one therapy. I envisioned Jurnee Mental Health Consulting as a platform where I could offer my expertise without directly engaging in client sessions.

This venture was not just about professional growth; it was about breaking free from the conventional model of trading time for money. I saw an opportunity to create passive income streams, realizing that my knowledge and skills could extend beyond the immediate therapeutic space. The birth of my consulting firm wasn’t just a business endeavor; it was a step towards building a legacy—a legacy that would outlive the constraints of time, dismantle legacy burdens, and make a lasting impact.

Jurnee Mental Health Consulting, LLC, thus emerged as a testament to the multiplicity of my professional journey. This idea that at the intersection of crisis and opportunity there can be discovery of untapped potentials. It’s a journey that goes beyond the confines of traditional roles, allowing me to contribute to mental health equity in ways I had never imagined and, in the process, creating a legacy that transcends the boundaries of the therapy room and time.

Candace, 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?

I am a native of Prince George’s County, MD, currently residing in Baltimore, MD. The seeds of my journey into psychotherapy were sown during high school, driven by the recognition that my own childhood traumas—having a father with muscular dystrophy and a mother tirelessly working multiple jobs to provide—shaped my path. The decision to major in psychology in college was clear, a choice that propelled me to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology and attain licensure as a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).

My journey into mental health consulting and entrepreneurship was guided by witnessing the financial struggles of colleagues, even with advanced degrees, and experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s direct clinical care challenges. My mission is to teach, train, and consult on mental health modalities, particularly those tailored to historically marginalized communities. I am driven by the resolve to address issues of health equity and social justice within the mental health community, ensuring that all populations have access to advanced and quality mental health treatment.

What sets me apart is my belief in therapists undergoing their own recovery process, utilizing it as a tool to better support clients. Having received the gift of therapy myself, I am intentional about authentically showing up in spaces. A point of pride for me is venturing into entrepreneurship, breaking away from generational norms to chart my own untraveled path. Despite initial hesitancy, I am proud of my non-conformity and the courage to embrace something different.

Beyond therapy, I have dedicated much of my life to advocacy work, viewing my current role as an extension of this commitment. I am passionate about mental health equity and welcome collaboration with like-minded individuals dedicated to being co-disruptors. Clients and followers can rest assured that my advocacy and dedication to mental health equity are unwavering, and I am always open to collaborative partnerships with those committed to making positive and long-lasting change.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My most recent experience of having to pivot unfolded in early 2023, when I made the decision to depart from private practice entirely. This pivotal moment had been brewing since 2022 when a subtle intuition urged me to step away from direct clinical care if I truly aimed to make a macro-level impact. It felt like standing on the edge of uncertainty, and I admit, I was both scared and frightened—talk about an existential crisis (chuckles).

For the past 12 years, providing direct clinical care has been my professional identity, making this shift felt like unchartered waters. At times it felt like I was drowning. The prospect of leaving the security of a steady income, coupled with stories of others who talked about having to close their businesses, was enough to give anyone second thoughts. The fear of the unknown loomed large, but in 2024, I find myself right where I’m meant to be, trusting the universe’s guidance and no longer managing a caseload.

While I undoubtedly miss the connection with my clients, I am grateful for the opportunity to bet on myself. Trusting that the best is yet to come, I embrace this journey into full-time entrepreneurship with optimism and anticipation. The decision to step away from the familiar has been both challenging and liberating, and I am ready to embrace the unfolding chapters ahead.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

During this entrepreneurial journey, a crucial lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the notion that I am solely a therapist. In graduate school, the entrepreneurial aspect of being a therapist was never emphasized. The conventional trajectory often pushes therapists towards owning private practices post-licensure. However, realizing that this wasn’t the path for me, placed me in a position where I assumed I would always work for someone else.

Taking the bold step of rejecting the private practice route required courage, especially since it meant stepping into the unfamiliar territory of giving presentations and talks. This wasn’t an easy task, but a deep love for teaching propelled me forward. The positive feedback from these presentations and talks became a source of empowerment, instilling confidence in my ability to deliver valuable content.

The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when opportunities to teach and consult emerged. With limited other engagements, I recognized that this was the opportune moment to embrace a broader role. Unlearning the idea that therapists must confine themselves to a therapeutic capacity has been transformative. It has not only empowered me to make a macro-level impact but also reinforced the belief that I can contribute meaningfully beyond the boundaries of traditional therapy.

As an entrepreneur, I realize am not confined to a singular role, and the realization that I can effect change on a larger scale has been a driving force. I am not just offering therapeutic services—I am offering knowledge, empowerment, and a unique perspective that extends beyond the traditional therapeutic space.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jurneewithcandace.com
• Instagram: @jurneementalhealth
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-oglesby-0aa51b98?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BeuVlmX5zSZ662tcLGbGYDA%3D%3D

Image Credits
Babawale Adepoju