Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayesha Morgan.
Hi Ayesha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ayesha R Morgan. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas, Certified Christian Life Coach, Biblical Teacher and Minister (in training). I am a devoted daughter of GOD and a proud mother to one young adult daughter. My faith and love for family are central to my life. I am most passionate about inspiring others to embrace change, find hope, and pursue wellness in their lives.
I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio. I relocated to Houston TX with family in 1994 immediately following the completion of my undergraduate studies from Central State University where I received a BS degree in Psychology. I’ve worked in the mental health field for over 25 years, mostly in outpatient community mental health settings. I graduated from Lamar University in 2016 with a Master’s (M.Ed) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and shortly thereafter, obtained licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (Texas).
My love for counseling started in the church. I was a member of a local church in Pearland, TX where I served with my family for many years. It was there that God nurtured my spiritual gifts of administration and teaching and shaped my passion for helping others while serving on the church’s biblical counseling and teaching ministries. Initially, the only reason I wanted to get my LPC was to counsel others in church and maybe see a few clients outside of church here or there, but it was never to counsel full-time. Put a pin right there!
In 2019, I left my job where I worked for 19 years at a community mental health facility, the last 6 years as a Program Manager of a Youth & Adolescent Outpatient Clinic in Galveston and Brazoria Counties. After years of heavy caseloads, grueling state target measures, and high employee turnover rates, I simply was burned out. So, I accepted a position working as a Regional Director for a private mental health facility in Houston and listen, I thought this was “it” for me. My dream job, working as a leader in Executive Management, an opportunity to train and lead others, consulting and implementing mental health programs, earning more money, and traveling…. “I can retire here”, so I thought.
However, it felt like “torment”. Shortly after the newness of the role wore off and the dust settled from the “this is my dream job” feeling, I realized the same factors that led to my “burnout” in the previous job I also faced there, but even worse. I remember praying, “God, what is this? Why am I here?” I didn’t get to do any of the duties I was hired to do. It was someone else’s company and I was there to run it with what felt like little to no support. I felt stuck, trapped, disappointed, all of that. Every single day for 1 1/2 years, I drove home in tears. I was anxious, fearful, trying to do my best and give 100%, but I was miserable. I begged God to get me out. In 2020, the “pandemic” hit and it was a challenge to figure things out through that time, as it was for many others. We lost employees, contracts, etc…it was rough.
Towards the end of 2020, I was traveling back from my first “work trip”. Mind you, traveling was one of the perks for which I accepted this job, and this was the first one I was able to go on. Overall, the trip was successful, and I was starting to feel “Okay, finally…things are getting better, I think I can do this.” While riding up I-10, just as clear as I could say my own name, God spoke to me and told me “Now that you’ve helped someone with their business, it’s time to start your own”.
So, in January 2021, by faith, I resigned from that job to start my own counseling private practice “Journey2Life Counseling & Community Services, PLLC” located in Pearland, TX. This was the biggest leap of faith I’d taken in my life. It was the first time in over 30 years of working that I’d ever been without a steady paycheck and all the benefits that come with a 9-5 job. I didn’t know what it was going to look like, where God was taking me or this, yet it was all I wanted to do at the time. See how that worked out? I realized then that all those rough times I had to go through in the previous jobs; the things I had to teach myself to learn; all of the tears and torment, was for this time right here. Whew! So, entrepreneurship it is! I started out doing telehealth/virtual therapy sessions in my home then in February 2022, by faith again, God led me to move into an office space so I could offer in-person sessions as well. Uhh who was going to pay for that lease? GOD!!! Where God guides, He provides! 3 1/2 years later, we’re still in business and still in our office space. God is truly our provider!!!
In 2024, I just felt like there was something more I needed to be doing. I was seeking God for direction because remember, I never wanted or desired to do therapy full-time and thought “Surely you didn’t bring me this far just to do this” , but I wanted to remain faithful. I know God has a plan and purpose for my life and He had already begun to use me; I just second-guessed it and myself. I allowed “fear” and “uncertainty” to make me question if it was really God; was He really calling ME; and how could He use me. I felt somewhat like a hypocrite or a new baby believer though. Like, how could I have so much experience in ministry all these years, counseling and encouraging others, yet still grappling with fear and doubt?
In addition to the counseling/therapy, I felt the pull to minister to people more in that space and started to incorporate biblical and Christian counseling which I absolutely loved more than the clinical. My style of counseling/therapy was a more supportive, spirit-led, “come on, I’m in this with you, let’s do this” type of approach anyway, so it made sense. Just as God would have it, I saw the advertisement for Called Coach Institute, attended the bootcamp, and shortly thereafter [again, by faith] enrolled in their “life coaching” program. CCI offered everything I felt God was pulling me towards, but I didn’t have the words to describe. While in this program, I felt reassured of God’s calling on my life and, as the program went along, I grew in faith and confidence. In August 2024, I graduated from CCI with a certification as a “Certified Christian Life Coach.”
I initially thought I could just add “life coaching” as an additional service to my counseling/therapy practice, but that was MY plan not God’s! I now know who I am in Christ! I know that God has created me for purpose and impact. I don’t question God anymore. I’m confident that He’s called me and equipped me for Kingdom work. Since receiving my certification as a life coach, God led me to start another business “Ayesha R Morgan Coaching & Consulting” where I currently offer an “Inner Healing Coaching Program”. In addition, I’ve recently accepted God’s calling on my life to ministry (for real. Lol!) and is currently undergoing ministerial training. I’m truly excited about all God is doing and will do in my life. I just strive to move in faith and obedience.
I am the Founder and Clinical Director at Journey2Life Counseling & Community Services, PLLC in Pearland, TX where my specialty areas are Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Grief Counseling, and Biblical Counseling.
[website: www.journey2lifeccs.com]
I’m also the Founder and Lead Coach at Ayesha R Morgan Coaching & Coaching where, as a “Inner Healing, Personal & Spiritual Development Coach” I have the awesome opportunity to help guide those healing through trauma, loss, anxiety, and life transition to a life of peace, wellness, and spiritual growth. [website: www.ayesharmorgan.com]
In addition, I’m the host of a podcast entitled “Lunchbreak Chronicles Podcast”, which airs on YouTube (channel: “Journey2Life CCS”). Here, we discuss various topics through a therapeutic lens, all while incorporating a biblical/spiritual approach. We explore the intersection of mental health, faith, spirituality, and personal growth.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. The challenges for me, I believe, were mostly within myself. These “moves of faith” challenged my faith at every level; challenged my obedience, my trust in God. Challenged my self-confidence and who I believed God created and purposed me to be.
And of course, in this line of work where you serve people….my business runs off of the amount of people I serve. So, as we go through seasons of shifts in clientele, so does our finances. But God has truly been faithful. With all that is going on in the world today, it’s a must that we help one another, support one another, and sometimes all it takes is an “ear” or a “hug.” It challenges me to keep my head up, to keep my focus on God and His promises (and not my circumstances aka the numbers).
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Please see the first section “Tell us your story” (I think i went into great detail about my story that would fit for this question)
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I believe I’m most proud of being able to bring “ministry to the marketplace”. Being able to help others; witness firsthand others growing and changing in their lives, whether it’s mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Just the ability to see people come into my office burdened, but leave with a measure of healing……I’m so grateful to God for that. It brings me joy!
And as a woman myself, with a daughter…..how important it is to take care of myself (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually), to teach her, to talk with her, to encourage her, to listen to her, to be an example for her, to live my life in a way that is pleasing to God in front of her, for she’s watching me!!!! She’s learning from me!!!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My view on risk-taking is rooted in faith and obedience to God’s calling in my life. Starting my own private practice felt like stepping into the unknown, but I believe that faith often requires courage to embrace uncertainty. I see this journey as transformative opportunity to trust in God’s guidance, knowing that growth often comes from taking risks that align with one’s purpose. In taking this leap of faith, I am not only pursuing my passion but also demonstrating my commitment to following the path God has laid out for me.
Pricing:
- Please visit our website(s) for information on how to access services, packages of services available, and how to contact us for information on fees charged for services.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.journey2lifeccs.com and www.ayesharmorgan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey2lifeccs/ and https://www.instagram.com/imayesharmorgan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556706852718
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@journey2lifeccs
Image Credits
Ayesha R Morgan
