Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charese L. Josie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Charese L. , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

Corporate America does not implement systems that focus on the relationship of the employees. The systems are designed to meet the mission of the agency and the employees are hired to execute the mission. However, in today’s work environment, quality of life is more important to employees. People are more focused on their mental health and spending time with family. Corporate America needs to focus more on how to maximize their employee’s strengths and time by offering alternate work schedules, remote work and flexibility. They also need to ensure that leadership is trained in personal communication, effective leadership skills and how to build relationships. People need to know that both them and their quality of life is just as important as meeting the mission of the agency.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Charese, the “insightful introvert.” I originally went to school to study criminal justice but once I realized that I’m scared of guns and had no desire to investigate crime scenes, I moved into the social work profession. I originally provided case management to children in foster care and later moved to providing individual and marital counseling to military members and their spouses. The job got increasingly stressful with more work and less clinicians. I went to counseling because I felt stuck. As I was sitting in church one day, I listened to the women in my church ask for prayer about a significant event and they were soon smiling and hugging others. I remember thinking that if they were not asked if they had a prayer, we would not have known that they were going through something. As I sat there thinking about them, I realized that I was also sitting there silently, suffering with work related stress and anxiety. I started a women’s group at my church called “Ladies, Let’s Get Messy.” A participant asked on the survey form if I had my own private practice. I never thought of an after-care plan but I vowed that when I do this workshop again, I would have a place for the women to process their experience. From my own counseling and this experience, I started CJ Counseling and Consulting Services.

I focus on working with high achieving women leaders to teach them how to increase their emotional intelligence to manage fear of failing in the work place and relationships. I offer individual counseling and coaching services to teach women their emotional blocks and fears that prevent them from having healthy relationships and limited boundaries. I also speak on mental wellness. Women are drawn to my message because I give them an alternate way of thinking. This is the “insightful” part. As adults, we can easily fall into unhealthy patterns of coping and I assist others in finding their patterns and disrupting them.

I am most proud of stepping outside of my own comfort zone and disrupting the narrative of high achieving women being silent suffers. I want potential clients to know that I work with them to provide tools and techniques to heal from situations with less frustration, and more support and clarification. We find a deeper understanding of the challenges in their life and assist them in developing an action plan to address these challenges to have the healthy relationships they desire. This work builds confidence and implements healthy boundaries while they are supported through the process.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I learned to redefine the term “strong woman.” I thought that meant that I had to over work myself and over deliver. This message came from the African American culture of black women. It also comes from my female family lineage. I did what I was told in terms of going to college and getting a “good job.” Once I accomplished all of that, I realized I did not feel strong. I felt exhausted, unfilled and unhappy. The ultimate lesson is when I overworked myself at a job where I was the supervisor. I put in a long resignation (1 1/2 months notice). The day before my last day, I was told to not to return the next day because the new hire needed my desk. I was angry and felt like all of my work was for nothing. I realized that I was seeking validation from work. I learned to find it in areas outside of work by trying new things and meeting new people. As I moved into other agencies, I made sure to work my assigned work hours, do the best that I could during that time and leave on time. Therefore, I never felt betrayed by an employer; only myself if I violated my own boundaries.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of referrals are self-referrals. I may just get off of the clinical directories soon. My clients speak of my work with their friends and family and teach them what they are learning. I have even received referrals from people who have seen transformation in someone they know; yet, we have never met.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cjcounselingandconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charese_josie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chareselj/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charesejosie/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChareseJosie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_MyU_Y4LL4iZK1Licg3xbQ

Image Credits
Jaylynn Turner Energi Loagan