We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jerrilyn Stokes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jerrilyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Owning my own business has always been a dream of mine, even before I knew I would one day become a mental health therapist. Entrepreneurship was modeled for me early on by one of my greatest inspirations, my grandmother, Ms. Juadine Cleveland, who made history as the first African American woman to own a nursing home in Mississippi.

I spent countless hours around my grandmother, often times at her nursing home. I had the opportunity to work during the summer at her nursing home & would ride the bus after school to spend my afternoon at her nursing home. Watching her commitment, strength, and vision showed me what was possible for African American women in business. It planted a seed in me: that I, too, could create something meaningful that would serve my community.

Along the way, I was mentored and inspired by numerous women in my family and community. These women became a golden thread in my life, weaving together lessons of resilience, service, and empowerment. Their examples reminded me that leadership is not just about building something for yourself but creating spaces where others can grow and heal.

When I launched Progressive Therapy, I began initially, working part-time while still working two other jobs to help supplement my income. In the early days, I didn’t have many clients, but I didn’t let that stop me. There weren’t a lot of African American therapists in private practice settings, therefore I had no examples or a blueprint to follow. So I spent a lot of time researching, reading, and studying other therapist in the field.

I was young (25), and that too, sometimes was questioned by clients and individuals who also were business owners. I found creative ways to build connections by having lunch with others in the mental health field, meeting with community members, and introducing myself to potential referral sources. Slowly but surely, the word spread and I begin to see the fruit of my labor.

I and an supervisee (Mrs. Kim Dixon, LPC) at the time started in a small office space, but as our clientele grew, we moved into a larger one. With her help we transformed all that we learned during the beginning stages into new opportunities. When COVID-19 hit, like many, we were forced to adapt quickly and transition to a virtual therapy setting. What began as a challenge turned into an opportunity, as it allowed us to expand our reach beyond the Jackson metropolitan area, offering support to clients across Mississippi and in other states.

Over time, Progressive Therapy expanded as well. The expansion of new opportunities taught me to not limit my skills to counseling. It taught me that being a therapist with clinical skills could be used in various ways, whether teaching, coaching, or training. What began with just myself and one supervisee grew to a team that included three therapists. Each new addition represented not just growth, but a deeper capacity to meet the needs of our community. I encourage future clinicians who desire to own their own practice to research, write the plan, secure a mentor, and don’t allow fear to prevent you from pursuing your desire.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Dr. Jerrilyn Stokes, LPC-S, RPT-S, BC-TMH, a licensed mental health therapist, supervisor, and founder of Progressive Therapy, LLC. My journey into this field has always been shaped by both personal inspiration and a deep passion for helping others heal. From a young age, I was influenced by the strong women in my family and community, especially my grandmother, Ms. Juadine Cleveland who owned and operated a nursing home in Jackson, Ms. The time I spent at my grandmother’s nursing home was inspiring.

Before I even chose counseling as my profession, I knew I wanted to be a business owner. Initially, I wanted to be a pediatrician. Over time, my calling became clear after taking a psychology class under the instruction of Mr. Larry Thurman, my junior year at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Ms. Psychology came naturally and I enjoyed reading things related to the subject. After choosing to major in psychology at Dillard University, New Orleans, LA I begin the process of discovering what area of psychology I wanted to pursue. While in college I became aware that I had a natural gift when it came to helping people navigate the hardest parts of life. I have always been the supportive friend, big sister to many, & the call it like it is, while loving you through it friend. I knew I needed to be able to integrate my love for psychology and my natural gifts. I found myself the summer of my senior year, back at my grandmother’s nursing home. This time serving as a intern for a psychiatrist in private practice that provided services to the geriatric population at numerous local nursing homes. After spending time under her guidance I was clear about two things:
1. I definitely had a gift for supporting people.
2.I needed to work in the psychology field in a manner that would allow me to be able spend time talking to people and helping them navigate their personal thoughts/experiences.
I decided my senior year that I would pursue a career as a mental health therapist. I later worked in various job with a array of populations while living and working in New Orleans, LA. I landed in New Orleans during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and it’s aftermath. It allotted me the opportunity to gain valuable experience work in with individuals who were experiencing trauma as it related to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I contribute much of the work I do today to my intern and work experiences in New Orleans, LA. My work is grounded in the belief that healing is not just about managing symptoms it’s about transforming the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

From these experiences Progressive Therapy, LLC was birth. At Progressive Therapy, we take a holistic approach to mental health. Our therapists work with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, work/life balance, and life transitions. We also provide therapy for children and families navigating behavioral challenges, blended family dynamics, and parental support. Personally, my specialty is in intergenerational trauma. I help clients recognize and challenge the unspoken philosophies, patterns, and behaviors passed down through families that often shape identity, relationships, and mental health.
The work I do with clients allows them to:
• Recognize and challenge cycles that no longer serve them.
• Unlearn harmful narratives and create space for new truths.
• Own their story, embrace their growth, and step fully into the people they were always meant to be.

What sets my practice apart is the way we create a space that feels inviting, real, and empowering. Therapy with me is personal, eliminates the super clinical experience you often get when seeking mental health care. I create a safe place where clients can process and unpack the hard stuff without judgment. I believe in making dialogue about one’s experiences in a way that is healing, necessary, and unapologetically theirs.

I am most proud of the fact that what started as a dream has grown into a thriving practice that has expanded beyond its beginnings. At times, I am even shocked by all the business opportunities that have blossomed. Progressive Therapy started in a small office with only a handful of clients, grew through word-of-mouth and community networking, and now operates with multiple therapists serving clients both in person and virtually. The pandemic, while challenging, opened new doors for us by allowing us to expand our reach beyond the Jackson metropolitan area.

Above all, what I want potential clients and readers to know about my work is this: healing is possible, even when it feels messy or overwhelming. My mission is to help people reclaim their stories, their voices, and their power. To live fully, freely, and use their God given gifts to touch the lives of others.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I built my reputation by showing up authentically, connecting with my community, and specializing in areas like intergenerational trauma and women’s issues. Areas that are extremely necessary to address in my community, but even more so from someone that is understanding, relatable, genuine, and willing to challenge that standard narratives of others. I always ensure that the space that I create is a safe & empowering for conversations that are often difficult. Consistency has also played a huge role. Whether it’s through therapy sessions, supervision, trainings, or speaking engagements, I strive to show up with the same level of care, professionalism, and cultural awareness. Over time, that reliability builds credibility. I built trust with clients and colleagues. Over time, that consistency and authenticity helped establish my credibility and visibility in the field.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Ms. Kim Dixon, LPC and I actually started our journey together when she came on as an intern. Over time, she became my supervisee, and somewhere along the way, we built not just a professional partnership but a genuine friendship. Our relationship has always been rooted in authenticity and openness, which is the same values we bring into the work we do with organizations and in therapy with our clients. What started as mentorship grew into partnership. Proof that at the heart of healing and growth, relationships matter most.

And here’s the funny part: after we both got married, we ended up swapping last names. Her maiden name is Stokes and mine is Dixson. After marriage, she became Dixon and I became Stokes. If that’s not a sign it was meant to be, I don’t know what is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://progressivemovementcounseling.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressivetherapy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Progressivemovementcounseling/