Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica E Jackson.
Monica E, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Detroit, MI to Frances Jackson and Anthony Lloyd, Sr. I was raised by what I call my village. While my mother worked, I spent majority of my days with grandparents, aunt, and uncle. I was educated through the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, where I attend Gesu Catholic School from 1st- 8th grade and graduated from Mercy High School.
It was at Mercy High school while taking a psychology course, that my passion for psychology and the way people think and behave ignited. I moved away from Detroit in 2000, to attend Dillard University of New Orleans for college. At Dillard University, I majored in Psychology and my senior year was President of the Psychology Club. Upon graduating Magna Cum Laude from Dillard University in 2004, I knew that if I wanted a career in the field, I had to continue to my education. I moved to Baton Rouge, LA, after attending a summer Pre-doctoral Scholars program at Louisiana State University. I began taking Masters Level courses at LSU in their Community Mental Health program.
While working and taking classes, one of my coworkers advised me of a Minority Grant at Southern University of Baton Rouge for Rehabilitation Counseling. The grant was funded to increase the number of minorities in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling. After being accepted into the program and the grant program, I pursued my Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. I graduated from Southern University of Baton Rouge in 2007 and in December 2007, I relocated to Houston, TX. I moved to Houston after being offered a position in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Program as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. I later was promoted into a Program Specialist position.
I earned my Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2008 and my License in Professional Counseling in 2015. iWin Counseling was founded in 2015 when I realized it was time to transition into private practice.
I am currently a Doctoral Candidate at Walden University in Counselor Education and Supervision, with hopes of defending my dissertation: Factors Contributing to Burnout Levels of Public Sector among Rehabilitation Counselors within the coming months, with hopes to graduate in 2019.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would like to think things have been smooth. However, I remember a time, I was not quite sure I would reach my goal. I had applied to many schools along the way to obtain my master’s degree and Ph.D. During this process, I have heard the word, No, many times. There was time, I felt that I would never get to this space that I am in today. I kept going, never stopped, and have never let the word, No keep me from my destiny. All you need is one Yes.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the iWin Counseling story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Licensed Professional Counseling and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. iWin Counseling a partial private practice where “Winning is Not the End Result, it is the Courage to Begin”. I like to say, I specialize in Beginning, but inactuality, I specialize in Mental Health Counseling. I have a passion for Women Issues, Teen Issues, and Disability Counseling. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I am not only a Licensed Professional Counselor but I am also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Often times, when people hear Rehabilitation Counseling, they think “substance abuse”.
However, Certified Rehabilitation Counselors specialize in Disability Services. We are trained to work with people with disability, through onset adjustment, learning to live independently, vocational adjustment, advocating, etc. What I am most proud of my company, is that in a short time of existence, I believe we are making an impact on both Mental Health and Disability Awareness. iWin Counseling is committed to the community, we have sponsored breakfast to feed the Homeless in Downtown Houston, held session in conjunction with organizations on college campuses such as Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, facilitated at Christian Women Conferences to advocate the need for Mental Health Counseling in the church, and participated in Community Health Fairs to encourage mental health awareness.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Within the next 10 years, I believe Mental Health Counseling will be an everyday norm. I believe we will eliminate the barriers to mental health counseling for the inner city. Increase access to mental health counseling for minorities. I believe we will decrease the stigma of mental health counseling and educate the community that counseling is for every day people, with everyday issues.
I want to see iWin Counseling transition from a partial practice, to full practice. I am in the process of hiring a Team which would include another Licensed Professional Counselor and Office Manager. My goal is for us to not only impact individuals through therapy but to also educate the community through Mental Health Forums. Advocating for minority mental health and disability-related issues. In addition, to decrease the stigma associated with Mental Health and Disability. We want to continue to advocate for the awareness, affordability, accessibility of therapy in minority communities.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1322 Space Park Drive #B143 Houston, TX. 77058
- Website: www.iwincounseling.com
- Phone: 713-389-8535
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @LPC_MEJ
- Facebook: iWin Counseling Services
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