Kay T. Jackson, MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling

---

 As beautiful and wonderful as my life is now…This wasn’t always the case. I experienced devastating loss after losing my mother to cancer at the tender age of 16 and became a mother myself just prior to my 18th birthday. And that's not it, I've lost jobs, money, friendships and went through disappointment from unmet expectations from people... So, I understand the complexity of emotions that loss can bring and how difficult it is to move through these emotions. My personal journey of healing consisted of therapy, supportive friends, and, later, clinical training in how to cope with emotional distress. The deep loss and grief of losing my mother launched my desire to assist people in healing their life after loss.

My life’s purpose…… is to awaken, inspire, and teach young girls and women how to find life after loss. Whether the loss is a death of a loved one, a divorce, a job loss, or the ending of a friendship, my heart is to guide my clients through every stage and phase of the grief and transition process. There are many stages of grief and transition. One can experience: shock, denial, uncertainty, fear, anger, depression (sadness), and anxiety (worry). We experience these emotions during all loss because it is new, and we must adjust quickly – and seemingly overnight!

Skills for helping you find life after loss…I received my clinical training from Capella University and earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The most important takeaway from my formal education was the realization that building a trusting and genuine relationship with my clients and meeting them where they are is the best foundation for accelerating the healing process. I utilize integrative techniques and a powerful intervention called Internal Family Systems (IFS), which achieves mental wellness by teaching you how to understand the different parts of you and trust your inner self. I am also certified in “Enrich and Prepare" which is a program that  identifies the strengths and weaknesses of a couple (married or engaged), and together we will navigate how to create an amazingly healthy and deeply connected marriage.

Passing on gifts and blessings…Throughout my life, I have learned many lessons and have been extremely blessed by being given much. And I believe in living by Dr. Maya Angelou’s words: “When you get, give and when you learn, teach."  It is now my turn to give back to my clients and to teach them about their authentic self and how to achieve their healing. I will teach you how to identify thoughts and behaviors and view them as “parts or roles” within yourself that are preventing you from achieving desired life outcomes. You will learn how to relate to each part of you in a new and healthy way! You will understand how to shift and develop into more positive parts to achieve desired life outcomes.

A little more about me…On a sunny Florida day, you will find me happily on the beach amongst my favorite people: my loving husband, three beautiful children, and my BFFs...Or I will be diligently working on writing my books or producing my podcast, “The Authentic Therapist,” both of which will be completed in early 2021.I understand firsthand what it feels like to have lost…… and not know how to move forward. It can be lonely, scary, and overwhelming. But I am here to help! Let’s journey through what life can look like after loss.