We were lucky to catch up with Jacklyn Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacklyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My practice is dedicated to creating a space where individuals can learn to love themselves and live wholeheartedly. This mission is especially focused on serving the perinatal population across Texas and within my community. Pregnancy, postpartum, and loss come with unique challenges, and I aim to provide the support that I once wished existed for me.

There’s a common misconception that therapists somehow transcend human struggles, but my own journey taught me otherwise. I’ve experienced postpartum depression three times, and with each experience, I found myself stuck in perfectionistic expectations that only deepened my struggles. I too believed I was the exception, someone who should manage it all seamlessly.

During my third pregnancy, I realized I wasn’t superhuman and that I needed to advocate for my own mental health. Awareness is the first step, right? Even with that, I found myself facing a lack of resources in my Coastal Bend community. When I nervously shared my struggles with my OB, I expected a streamlined referral process and resources tailored to maternal mental health. Instead, I left the office with a Xeroxed copy of random professionals’ business cards, feeling defeated, hopeless, and alone.

Refusing to give up, I searched for local support groups and therapists specializing in perinatal mental health. But my search came up empty. Even the group I found and attended turned out to be nonexistent—no one showed up. Driving home in tears, I couldn’t believe that our community, the eighth-largest city in Texas, lacked these vital services.

That moment marked the beginning of my mission. I knew I was in a position to change this. I pursued specialized training through Postpartum Support International and opened my own practice dedicated to perinatal mental health. Today, in addition to offering individual therapy, I’ve partnered with another therapist to host a free support group for moms and their babies. I’ve also given presentations to professionals and community members to increase awareness of maternal mental health needs.

My hope is to create spaces where others feel seen, heard, and supported in their perinatal journeys. No one should face these challenges alone, and my work is fueled by the belief that every parent deserves access to care, compassion, and community.

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

I’m a Latina, a lifelong learner, and a serial hobbyist who finds joy in DIY projects. I’m also a recovering perfectionist, a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, and mother. In all these roles, I’ve naturally gravitated toward being a helper; a role I’ve embodied since I was a little girl. Back then, I didn’t realize that my helper tendencies were an adaptive skill I developed to create a sense of agency in a world that often felt overwhelming and out of control.

It’s no surprise that this path led me to become a therapist. But as I grew older, I recognized that constantly helping others often came at the cost of my own well-being. When I became a mother, this imbalance became even more apparent, and I knew I needed to find a way to help others without sacrificing myself. Learning to love and prioritize myself has been a transformative journey; one that ultimately inspired the creation of Wholehearted Path Counseling.

Mental health, motherhood, self-love, and perfectionism aren’t just areas of expertise for me—they are deeply personal experiences that have shaped who I am. I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate these aspects of life, which is why I am passionate about helping others, particularly those in the perinatal population.

Through my own journey, I discovered that pregnancy and postpartum bring unique challenges, and I noticed a significant gap in resources for mental health services in this area within my community. Wholehearted Path Counseling was born from a desire to fill that gap and support individuals who are striving to prioritize their own well-being during this important phase of life.

What sets me apart is my lived experience and my commitment to meeting an unmet need in my community. I am proud to serve as a resource for those who are ready to lean into self-love and self-prioritization, even when it feels difficult. My hope is to provide a safe space for others to embrace their humanity, work through challenges, and find their own wholehearted path.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Building a client base is no easy feat, especially when your business isn’t centered on a tangible product but on a professional service that seeks to provide emotional healing. There’s a significant weight and pressure in offering therapeutic services; not just to sustain a business but to do so in a way that honors the deeply personal and transformative work we do with our clients.

The foundation of therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. It’s relationally based, and that connection is the most important aspect of what I do. So, it’s no surprise that my biggest source of clients is also relationally based. I’ve worked hard to build a network of professionals who are also in the therapy space, as well as those who serve the perinatal community in complementary ways, such as doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, pelvic floor therapists, and occupational therapists.

Developing strong, collaborative relationships with these professionals has allowed them to learn about me and the services I provide. It’s also fostered mutual trust and a shared understanding that we’re all working toward the same goal: providing comprehensive care for the perinatal population. These partnerships have been instrumental in building my client base.

In addition, many of my referrals come from current clients who share their experiences with others. When a client feels confident in the work we do together and recommends me to a loved one or friend, it’s the biggest compliment I can receive. It speaks to the power of the therapeutic relationship and the trust we build within that space.

Ultimately, I see building my client base as an extension of the relational work I do in therapy; it’s about creating authentic connections, fostering trust, and working collaboratively to support individuals through some of the most significant transitions of their lives.

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

As a solopreneur, I rely entirely on myself to sustain and grow my business. This means wearing many hats—not only as a therapist but also as a business owner managing marketing, networking, and administrative tasks. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s also deeply rewarding to see the practice I’ve built from the ground up thrive.

In addition to running my practice, I’m a wife and mother to three boys in early childhood. As the primary parent in my household, I carry much of the weight of managing parenting duties while maintaining my business. Pivoting is part of everyday life. In all honesty, pivoting was the hardest obstacle to overcome when I entered motherhood. I quickly learned that the expectations and standards I once held for myself before children were no longer sustainable. Children teach you so much about pivoting, and then add the responsibilities of running a solo-operated business, and you become a professional pivoter.

One of the most significant pivots I’ve had to navigate is balancing my therapy practice with the challenges of summer breaks. With children home from school, the uninterrupted time and privacy required to provide therapy services can feel almost impossible. Since my income is solely based on client-facing work, missing sessions for child-related activities or issues directly impacts my business. I had to restructure my schedule and find ways to build support that allowed me to meet both my family’s needs and my business obligations.

This pivot wasn’t just a change for me; it also impacted my clients. What helped me navigate this transition was being honest with myself about my limits and acknowledging that I couldn’t do everything on my own. I also prioritized open and transparent communication with my clients, explaining the adjustments and reassuring them of my commitment to their care.

This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and creativity in problem-solving, both as a parent and a business owner. It reinforced that success isn’t about meeting unrealistic standards—it’s about finding balance, being adaptable, and leaning on support systems when needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wholeheartedpathcounseling.com
• Instagram: wholehearted.path.counseling
• Facebook: Wholehearted Path Counseling
• Linkedin: Jacklyn Rodriguez

Image Credits

Logo and photos were created and taken by Jacklyn Rodriguez.