We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jessica Walden. Check out our conversation below.
Jessica, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
As a woman of color who runs a successful business, a mother, a lover, a professor, and friend, I have been delaying returning to school to get my doctorate degree. It has always been a title I have desired to have. However, I deal with imposter syndrome which leads me to often feel less than, inferior, and sometimes like a fraud. This struggle has delayed my goals since 2018. Now, I am settling in on the fact “I have to do this for me”! With the support of God, my family, my friends, and therapist, I am ready!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jessica Walden, LPC-S, founder of Right Mentality Mental Health and Wellness and Visiting Professor of Psychology at Texas Southern University. My practice serves veterans, teens, adults, and couples, and what makes it unique is that it’s rooted in my own journey-from growing up in Jackson, MS, to serving in the Army, to pursuing psychology as a calling. At Right Mentality, we’re passionate about making therapy accessible and impactful, while I also teach over 250 students each semester, bridging real-world practice with academic growth. Right now, I’m focused on expanding across multiple states, mentoring future counselors, and building innovative ways to bring mental health care to more people.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me clearly before I could even see myself was my grandmother. She embodied the true definition of unconditional love—never judging, always encouraging, and consistently reminding me that I was capable of more than I realized. Even in moments when I doubted myself or couldn’t quite envision the path ahead, she already saw the strength, resilience, and purpose within me. Her love became my foundation, and it’s a big part of why I lead with compassion in both my practice and my teaching today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be to trust the journey and believe that every challenge is shaping you into the person you are meant to become. You are stronger than you realize, and the love and purpose you are searching for will come from within. Keep going, because one day you will look back and be proud of how far you have come.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
A belief I used to hold tightly was the idea that “you can have it all.” For a long time, I thought success meant being able to balance every area of life perfectly and achieve everything without sacrifice. Over time, I realized that this belief was naive. Life is not about having it all at once—it is about give and take, balance, and moderation. To pour into one area often requires stepping back in another, and that does not mean failure, it means being human. I now understand that peace and fulfillment come from making intentional choices and honoring what matters most in the moment, not chasing the illusion of doing everything at the same time.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes I have experienced getting what I wanted only to realize it did not truly satisfy me. For me that has often been material things. I might desire them and feel excited once I have them but the pleasure is only temporary. What I have learned is that lasting fulfillment does not come from possessions but from purpose relationships with my loved ones and the work I do to make a difference in people’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rightmentalitypllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightmentalitytx/
Image Credits
Jessica Walden, LPC-S
