Today we’d like to introduce you to Abrahm “Abe” Turner.
Abrahm “Abe”, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Abrahm “Abe” Turner holds an M.A. in Forensic Psychology from the University of Houston, Victoria, and an MBA from the University of Texas, Dallas. He operates as a Consultant and Licensed Clinical Therapist, providing expert guidance and therapy services. He is also a published author at AbrahmWrites.com. Currently, he is responsible for project management, performance management, thought leadership, and change management, focusing on operational excellence. He’s also an Adjunct. Psychology Instructor, where he teaches psychology to various student populations, formerly including Contemporary Marketing where his classroom was inside the Texas Department of Criminal Justice System.
Abrahm Turner (1981-) was born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and he lived there until his high school years, when his family relocated to Dallas, Texas. He initially began using writing as a creative outlet in school and later by taking creative writing courses at the local community college. His love of literature and words opened the doors for him to have a poem, entitled ‘State of Life,’ published in Rolling Out Dallas Magazine in 2003.” “In 2004, he was featured in a collection of literary works for his college magazine, Duck Soup, for his “Seeing Green” short story. In addition to writing, he frequently travels outside the U.S., immersing himself in new cultures, translating into many of his more contemporary works in progress. His first book, “My So Called Life, It’s My Turn to Speak”, was a significant achievement, completed at 19 years old and self-published in 2002. The work was revised and re-released in 2017, marking a milestone in his writing career. His second book, a 31-Day Journal, The Subtle Art of Choosing You, was released in 2022.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life has presented many challenges along the way, so it has been far from smooth. However, the challenges are part of the journey and now serve as continued fuel to push forward.
The defining struggles/challenges that have defined my path thus far include the following:
– Not able to finish college the first time: I graduated at 16 and went off to college out of state, only to realize that I could not continue due to a lack of financial support. I was not able to return to college for five years thereafter.
– Disappointment of Rejection: Life is constantly lifing, and in the earliest part of my journey, I knew that I had something that I wanted to offer the world, only to be told that my writing was not good enough for publication 50 or more times. I still have all those rejection letters.
– Job loss and life changes in 2003, 2015, and 2023: Each time, being part of mass unexpected layoffs/reduction in force caused me to pivot in ways I had never thought of. 2003 encouraged me to complete my first degree, 2015 brought me to Houston, and 2023 allowed me to focus on establishing my therapy practice.
– Identity and culture clash: Finding space for self-expression as a young black man in a world that says people from rural towns cannot achieve, and certainly not the education/access to be in certain positions and roles. An extreme fear of failure fueled the constant doubts that posited on self-worth that swirled about. Thank goodness for my therapist at 28- 30.
Every setback is usually a set up for what’s next.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Weekend Therapist, PLLC, is an organization that supports individuals experiencing life’s challenges. While in grad school during the COVID Pandemic, I truly learned what community meant. If it weren’t for the community, I’m not sure I would have even graduated. Balancing a full-time career, staying alive during a global pandemic, and a full-time graduate course load had me exceeding what I had previously thought was my capacity. Through the encouragement of those near and far, I stayed the course, and at the time my degree was conferred, I had already taken and passed the National Counselor Exam.
On behalf of The Weekend Therapist, PLLC, I serve as a clinical therapist to a wide range of people aged 15+ to 65. This population includes individuals and families alike—those who are new to therapy and therapy veterans. I am fortunate that my education and experience allow me to meet people where they are, from being raised in rural East Texas to moving to a large city, traveling the nation for work, and teaching inside state penitentiaries for more than five years. I have lived a few lives, as the older generation likes to put it.
What sets The Weekend Therapist, PLLC apart is the commitment to positively impacting this blueish-green rock spinning in space. As the founder, a core tenet woven into my business’s fabric is positively affecting change at every level.
I am most proud of the opportunities I get to speak and work with diverse populations, particularly men of color and gender-expansive groups. I fundamentally believe the spring of change is found at the human-to-human level. The brand has grown over the last year, with my social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube averaging 175K views year over year.
Readers should know that although The Weekend Therapist, PLLC, is in its infancy, I project it will grow and expand so that I can offer support outside of Texas. Whether it’s therapy, fireside chats, blogs, podcast episodes, or books, The Weekend Therapist, PLLC, is poised to meet the need.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is living a life that is not superficial. Authenticity and transparency are lost arts in a world where we filter and redact ourselves to various degrees. The reality is that no path is easy, it takes showing up, pardon me saying, effing up at times to get it right. When we own all of our truths, even the unsavory ones, we can impact people more profoundly. It is truly the full acceptance of both our dark and our light that builds our path forward.
Pricing:
- 1-on-1 Sessions: $150 – $175
- Group Workshops: Starting at $1500
- Speaking Engagements: Contact for Rates
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweekendtherapist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093731423791
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahmturner/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWeekendTherapist
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/abe-turner-manvel-tx/1030683
