Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Hall.
Hi Jamie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey has been far from typical. As a teenager, my home life was difficult. But by some stroke of luck, I found guidance and support in unexpected places (or rather they found me). Specifically, from two individuals with military backgrounds who played pivotal roles in shaping the person I am today.
My JROTC instructor, a retired Air Force Major, and an Active-Duty Army MP modeled for me the power of spirit, leadership, and love. Their influence instilled in me so many invaluable traits that I continue to carry with me. Looking back, I owe them my life in more ways than one. I wish I could say that my choice to join the military was a patriotic one, but I would be lying.
At 17, facing the reality of financing my college education, the military quickly became the most practical option. I enlisted during high school, completing basic training the summer after my Junior year, just two days before my senior year began. This April marks my 20th year in the Army National Guard — more than half my life, which is wild!
Outside of the military, I have the privilege of wearing many hats. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Board Certified Life Coach, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. I contribute to a group practice as a therapist and data analytics consultant, while also operating independently as a coach and supervisor.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t call my journey “smooth”. Although college brought stability, it wasn’t without its challenges. The military’s tuition assistance system wasn’t exactly accommodating at the time, leaving me to finance my education exclusively through student loans. Working multiple jobs to make rent, and figuring out how to be an adult was a new reality for me. I learned the hard way that success in academia required more than just showing up for exams. It took me five years of perseverance to finally earn my first degree.
Of course, over the years, life has insisted on getting “lifey”. There have been some personal discoveries that have stopped me in my tracks and brought me to my knees. My character has been called to question in situations I felt misunderstood and alienated. The recent loss of my only brother to a fentanyl overdose is sometimes too hard to bear. There have been times in my career when I’ve simply wanted to walk away and start over.
So no, my journey hasn’t been smooth. But in a strange way, I hope it never is. I think that it’s the obstacles that have lent itself to the resilience I possess, and my insistence on being authentic, even when it’s unpopular. It’s a reminder that even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, there’s always a way forward. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and demand more for myself. In hindsight, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I wear multiple hats! I work as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Consultant, and Project Manager at a group practice, Summit’s Edge Counseling in Marietta, where I’ve had the privilege of calling home for 7 years. I am also self-employed as a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and Board Certified Personal Development Coach (BCC).
I work primarily with adults seeking to ‘level up’, whether it be through counseling, business consulting, coaching, or pursuing their clinical license. I specialize in working with high achievers, executives, law enforcement, veterans, and women facing burnout. I think that my approach to all of my roles is defined by a mixture of humor, honesty, and candid, straightforward communication.
I have to say that I am most proud of my work with new clinicians on the path toward full licensure. I find deep fulfillment in sharing my knowledge, experiences, and insights with others. Being able to guide and mentor emerging therapists as they navigate the complexities and nuances of therapy, private practice, and ethical dilemmas brings me immense satisfaction. Witnessing their growth and development, both personally and professionally, is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
No matter what area of work I’m doing, people know what they’re signing up for when they choose me! I don’t hide the fact that I am a straight shooter and am most known for my “no BS” approach. I think people want to be accountable to their goals, but don’t always know how, and that’s why they hire me.
People seek me out because they know I will hold them accountable in a way that isn’t always easy. I don’t shy away from the awkward or the uncomfortable, and I try to empower those who work with me to run toward the discomfort rather than away from it. I think people just need to know that someone is right there beside them, running in step with them.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I LOVE this question… Mainly because I keep a running list of the things that make me happy or bring me joy. It’s an assignment I give to all of my clients and I think it’s such a powerful tool for cultivating gratitude, especially on the sucky days. I’ve plucked out some of my favorites…
-Music you feel in your soul
-Accomplishing a goal or finishing a to-do list
-Laughing
-Vacuuming
-My great dane, Apollo (who is my co-therapist on most days)
-The smell of popcorn
-Traveling
-Catching up with my best friends
-Thunderstorms
-A made bed
-Breakfast for dinner (breakfast in general)
-Sunshine
-The smell of fall
-The smell of the ocean
-Interior decorating
-Tattoos
-Orca whales
Contact Info:
- Website: jamiehallpc.com
- Instagram: @the_strategy_coach
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jamie-hall-marietta-ga/238702
