Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Curtis D. Jasper. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dr. Curtis D., thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents allowed me to be exactly who I am. Although I had structure and discipline, I also had autonomy and the freedom of self-expression. I was a stubborn but focused kid growing up. I was head-strong and defiant. My parents worked within those spaces with me by remaining consistent, loving, nurturing, and tough. My parents consistently fed me the notion that I was a leader, hard work is always required, personal development is your priority and faith will tie it all together. My parents didn’t have to push me academically as I had that drive on my own. They did, however, have to support me in my drive to try new things for self-discovery. My parents listened to me which always made me feel valued, loved, and appreciated. We didn’t have much money so love & attention was our currency. My parents did many things right. They also did many things wrong but who’s keeping score nowadays! My life was eventful coming up and my parents stayed consistent on the things that mattered most to me.
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
Sure! I’m a father of four and a grandfather of one. I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago during the 70s & 80″s. I am a formally highly accomplished educator turned psychologist. I was thrown into the Mental Health field as a result of going through a tough period in my life when I was about 39. It was as a result of working with 5 different therapists when I was encouraged to become a practitioner as part of my personal healing journey…and I did! I primarily work as a family therapist/counselor, a corporate consultant, a public speaker (check out my TEDx talk!), and a Mental Health & Emotional Wellness educator and expert. I help Black Males (and entrepreneurs) heal emotional scars & wounds so that they can achieve joy, overall life satisfaction, fulfilling relationships, and REAL sustainable success. What sets me apart is that I’ve done the work. I walk the talk beyond the dissertation and educational achievements. I am most proud of the achievement of well over 30,000 counseling hours of working with Black Males specifically on Mental Health & Emotional Wellness with Black male issues. I would like potential clients, followers, and/or fans to know that when choosing a practitioner to work with be sure and ask about their own journey of recovery and how they currently manage their emotional and mental health.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that betrayal by those who I thought were close to me had more to do with them than me. During that unlearning period, I also had to acknowledge my own role in the betrayal incidences. Ultimately, it worked out for my greater good and I am thankful and appreciative for all of my previous lived experiences which now allow me to serve my clients at a much more authentic level. I won’t go into the details of the back story out of respect for my family, my parents, and our privacy. Let’s just say that all relatives aint family and oftentimes we confuse those concepts until betrayal suggests otherwise.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Absolutely. Back in late 2008, and early 2009, and lasting until mid to late 2014, I experienced a divorce, the death of both parents, the loss of all material possessions, a few months in jail, debt, depression, and devastation in every area of my life. I was forced to go to therapy as a result of my bad behavior, depression, and panic & anxiety attacks. I came out of all of this not only at a high level of healing and personal development but as a practitioner who knows what it’s like to experience emotional exhaustion and mental health challenges as a Black Man in his 40s. Therapy, support from a few close friends, diet changes, refraining from alcohol, praying, meditation, journaling, and working out were the modalities that got me through it all
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drcurtisdjasper.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdr.curt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.CurtisDJasper
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCurtisDJasper
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUhgO7HJKqDkmUko9_pXvMw
- Other: TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/3fi7DGQXgeU
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Photos of Dr. Curtis D. Jasper’s personal collection.