Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenet Dove.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Though my career path has been non-linear, I’ve always had a fascination with psychology and human behavior. My all-time favorite course in undergrad was Psychology 101; I remember being engrossed in the material. Learning about different theories of human behavior was captivating. In hindsight, my obsession with that course should have prompted a change in my degree program. However, I was already two years into my Advertising program at UT Austin, and as a former overachiever and self-proclaimed perfectionist, finishing in four years was crucial. So, I graduated with a B.S. in Advertising and moved to Los Angeles a few months later to start my first big girl job at a well-known ad agency.
I hated LA. I felt so-so about advertising. And, I loved my co-workers.
This pattern persisted over the course of my career trajectory: I always felt so-so about the work I’d end up doing but would LOVE the people I worked with. After a year of working in advertising, I knew it wasn’t for me. I discovered early on that it was important for me to be passionate about the work I do. I wanted to wake up every morning and be excited about my career. It wasn’t enough for me to just love the people I worked with. This realization led me to the field of education. After earning my alternative teaching certification, I taught 2nd grade in Houston, TX, for five years. I loved my co-workers and students but over the course of the 5 years, my love for teaching dwindled. During downtime, I found myself more interested in the experiences of teachers and parents than the children. I would get excited about helping a teacher during her off-period navigate a tricky dynamic with a parent or colleague. I would become energized by providing a safe space for a parent struggling with a difficult marital dynamic at home all while trying to put on a brave face for her children. These interactions fueled my interest in pursuing a Master’s in Counseling at UH. I wanted to help people, and my love for psychology never waned.
Today, I own a private practice and I’ve never been happier and more in love with the work I do. I don’t have any co-workers, but I absolutely ADORE my clients.
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?
It’s been a smooth road for the most part. Private practice didn’t become my dream goal until a few years after I graduated with my master’s. Shortly after graduation, I had the opportunity to work at a group practice to earn my clinical hours for full licensure and the pattern of loving my coworkers continued. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with many brilliant therapists at that practice. The work I did there helped sharpen my clinical skills. This practice did an excellent job of marketing, so there was never a shortage of clients. I got to work with a wide range of disorders, which allowed me to identify the type of clients I enjoyed working with. By the time I completed my 3,000 hours, I could articulate my niche very well.
The majority of my challenges to date stem from owning a business. I am very confident in my skills as a clinician, but running a business requires a completely different skill set that was not taught in our graduate program. I’m learning that the key is networking and building relationships with trustworthy people, as well as knowing when to outsource and ask for help. I’ve been doing a pretty good job of outsourcing tasks beyond my scope, like taxes or social media marketing. But knowing who to trust with my money can be tricky, and that’s where building a network of reliable colleagues becomes crucial.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Jenet Dove Counseling Services?
The name of my practice is Jenet Dove Counseling Services. I work primarily with over-functioning perfectionists who struggle with burnout and depression. The majority of my work with clients focuses on addressing attachment wounds developed during their formative years. My clients are typically high-functioning, successful and career driven. They often come to me at a point in their lives when they are dealing with chronic exhaustion and high levels of anxiety. They crave clarity and balance, and I do my best to help them achieve that. I consider myself extremely fortunate to do the work I do.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Normalize non linear career paths. I used to feel very confused and ashamed about the non-linearity my career trajectory, and I often struggled with not loving the work I did. I am grateful that I was not afraid to switch paths and try something different- not once, but twice. While I have no doubt that I would have been successful if I continued in advertising or education, I never wanted to live a life doing work that didn’t excite me.
Now, I find myself in a sweet spot where my career aligns perfectly with my passions. And, I really like it here.
Contact Info:
- Website: jenetdove.com
- Instagram: @jenetdovecounseling
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenetdove/
Image Credits
Novi with 201 LoftHaus Harold with Mischif Mayhem
