Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Curtis D. Jasper.
Dr. Jasper, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Professionally, I initially started off as an educator working my way up from a classroom teacher in Chicago Public Schools to a national educational consultant traveling the country and finally landing here in Atlanta as a principal before I left public education for good. After the real estate market crashed, I found myself in the midst of a financial crisis, an eventful divorce, debt, death of both parents, and a few other life-altering obstacles, I fell into a bout of depression that would go on to last for years. While receiving treatment for my emotional challenges by a therapist, my therapist suggested that I consider becoming a therapist or some other mental health professional. At first, I thought he was joking but after a while, he assured me that he wasn’t and further suggested that it would not only help with my healing but that it would catapult a movement of wellness for Black men in particular. Shortly thereafter, I rejoined a new doctoral specialty program as I had dropped out of one many years before. Since 2014, I’ve been working primarily as an Integrative Counselor, private practice, specializing in Black men issues and challenges and the advocacy of mental health and wellness awareness, as a whole.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not! But… I wouldn’t change it for the world. Serving as a healer while healing is a feat within itself. The main struggle along the way is consistently providing an effective Curriculum for Living of health and wellness for myself so that I am able to not only sustain but thrive while serving others. I am well aware that I cannot give what I don’t already possess. Now, after a few years, my self-care is no longer a struggle and I am grateful and appreciative to be in a position to help and serve others with their personal emotional evolution, mental health, wellness, and overall personal development from my “overflow.”
Please tell us about what you do.
I run a private practice called I AM International here in Atlanta. In addition to serving clients in a traditional counseling/therapeutic office capacity, I also serve as a non-traditional Concierge Counselor as well as an executive coach. In a nutshell, I counsel individuals, couples, and families in my office, I serve as a coach for individuals who are ready to advance themselves to the next level of a number of personal endeavors and I provide on-call, house-call, and personalized retreats for individuals who would rather have counseling and therapy brought to them as opposed to coming to an office setting. I specialize in Black men issues, family dynamics, and relationship challenges. I am most known for my abilities to listen well, my relatability, being able to get to the heart of the matter quickly, while providing effective tools and strategies for self-empowerment. As a company, I am most proud of my ability to assist a high number of individuals and their families, locally, nationally, and internationally, toward overall health and wellness, and being able to remain in business mostly by referrals from satisfied clients. I think what sets me apart from others in my field is that I’ve been able to heal myself so I’m in a blessed position to walk my talk and talk my walk. I have programs where I am on-call 24 hours a day! I also bring counseling to people. I’ve provided counseling in a number of places where the client felt totally comfortable. I’ve even heard that I’m like the male version of Iyanla Fix My Life! Lol. Bringing that tough-love, authentic, results-oriented, individualized approach to those I am fortunate to serve.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Not. One. Thing! I’m now starting to see how the pathway of my journey was all purposeful and necessary. I am grateful, privileged, and honored to be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Address: I AM International, Inc.
2870 Peachtree Rd #235
Atlanta, GA 30305 - Phone: 770.885.2009
- Email: drcurt@drcurtisdjasper.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdr.curt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.CurtisDJasper
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCurtisDJasper
Image Credit:
(c)All photos are the property of Dr. Curtis D. Jasper’s personal collection
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