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

Jamie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

After running my business as a therapist for 13 years, I made the decision to pivot to life coaching and no longer taking my clients’ insurances. As a social worker, I felt obligated to my professional ethics, and I felt that insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid were pushing me away from what I knew was best for my clients. I don’t believe that a diagnosis and number out of a book best define my clients. I don’t believe in charging fees in a way that doesn’t defraud the insurance companies while completely disregarding my clients and their needs. I knew I would lose some people because everyone can’t afford to pay in cash, and there might be people who disagreed with my change, particularly some of my colleagues. I didn’t want to lose the respect of the other professionals in my field, but I couldn’t continue violating my own, personal ethics. I made the change in August of last year, and it has been the best thing I could do for myself and for my clients. I was scared, but I couldn’t let the fear keep me from doing what I knew was right. It’s hard, and I’m having to run my business in a different way, almost completely starting over, but I’m doing it, and I’m learning a growing, even at 48 years old!

Jamie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started my professional life in social work as an investigator at 22 years old. I have held many positions including foster care, adult services, child services, and behavior supports. I began my clinical career as a therapist at 31 and remained there until last year at 47 years old. I have served populations such as adolescents, later stage females, Veterans, individuals with OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and individuals with eating disorders. Last year, I made the move from licensed therapy to therapeutic life coach. I believe that I can better serve my clients without the restraints of insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.

I am now able to lead groups, provide individual services in-office, online, and on location. Beginning this year, I am creating online classes, free downloads, and subscriptions to my blog, videos, and newsletter. I am excited about being able to offer my clients more than the once per week for one-hour that I was previously offering.

I have a desire for my clients to live at their highest potential. In partnership with my clients, we recognize their values, align them with their intentions, and remove the obstacles that have been standing in the way of my clients becoming their best selves. Because of my extensive therapeutic background, I am able to help my clients create a personal awareness of obstacles such as lack of boundary setting, unhealed past trauma, and low compassion and empathy for themselves and others. By addressing these issues using healthy coping mechanisms, my clients remove their hindrances and live at a higher level. I take a very direct and honest approach with my clients, which they often appreciate. Most recently, one of my long-time clients informed me that I’m a “queen” but I also “suck”. And, I informed her that I’ll take that!

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I have a personal belief that when you are in business for yourself, you not only need to be good at what you do, but also, good at running a business. By this, I mean, I’m successful because I am not only good at what I offer, but I also answer phone calls in a timely manner, invoice clients monthly, provide a direct and clear line of communication between me and them via Instagram and my website as well as an efficient assistant. It doesn’t serve anyone for me to have great information for my clients if they don’t know when their next appointment is, and I charge them for four sessions at once, three months late, and with no forewarning. Be good at your business, and also be good at running your business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey has been a long and difficult one in the last 15 years. I have continued to serve my clients and grow my business even through many family losses and challenges. One example would be that a year and a half ago, my son’s best friend and roommate died in a motorcycle wreck. He was missing the night before, and I was in a session when my daughter called to tell me that he had been found dead. My adult children and their friends spend a lot of time at my house and convened there to mourn the loss of their friend at only 21-years-old. It was a difficult time, but I was able to move clients around to make space for my grief and to be there for my two oldest children. We live in a small town, and I was also able to share the news with my community and allow my clients the opportunity to understand my life’s challenges and leave space for me to take care of myself and serve them as well. It was a difficult time, but we are all still here, loving one another, and my clients still check in periodically and ask about my children.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamiecolemssw.com
• Instagram: @jamiecolemssw
• Facebook: Jamie Cole, MSSW
• Linkedin: Jamie Cole, MSSW

Image Credits

Graci Wall
Cortney Evans
Justice Wall
Hannah Lyvers