Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrystol Wilson-Payne.
Hi Chrystol, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into counseling — and into the broader work of creating spaces for healing, growth, and truth — has been shaped by life itself. I’ve always been the person people confided in, even in my youth. I was deeply empathetic, intuitive, and curious about what makes us who we are. Becoming a licensed professional counselor felt like a natural extension of how I was wired — to listen, to care, and to walk with people through hard seasons.
After becoming licensed, I made the decision to step away from full-time work to focus on raising my twin daughters. I was a stay-at-home mom for five years, and although I wasn’t practicing clinically during that time, I was still very much in purpose. I created a 7-day self-care challenge on Facebook called the #IMatter Challenge, encouraging women to intentionally focus on themselves for seven days in hopes that those practices would become part of their lifestyle. I mentored young girls, led workshops, spoke at events, served on boards, helped organize a women’s retreat, and wrote a blog called Chronicles of Womanhood — all outlets that allowed me to pour into others while also staying grounded in my identity outside of motherhood.
When I reentered the workforce, I joined a group counseling practice, which helped me reconnect with my passion for mental health in a more formal way. Eventually, I took the leap and launched my own private practice — Journey to Better LLC — where I support individuals, especially women, in navigating life’s challenges with intention, grace, and authenticity. I believe that healing is not about arriving at perfection but about being present and honest on the journey to becoming whole.
Around that time, I also co-hosted a podcast with my sisterfriend called Chill Out Mama. We launched it during the pandemic, and it quickly became a therapeutic outlet — both for us and for the mothers we spoke to and for. It was a space to talk about the anxieties and beautiful struggles of motherhood, and to remind women that their feelings mattered. You can still listen to episodes on all podcast platforms.
Today, I continue this work through my practice and through curated group experiences like which are designed specifically to help Black women reclaim wellness, rest, and joy. I’ve also published a 60-day guided journal entitled Embrace the Calm, created to assist women in reducing stress and cultivating joy — helping them create space for themselves and reconnect with what brings peace and purpose.
No matter the format — counseling, speaking, writing, podcasting — I show up with the same heart: to help people feel seen, supported, and empowered to take care of themselves from the inside out.
There’s been purpose in every season of my life. It may have looked different depending on the moment, but the calling has always been the same: to serve, to support, and to create space for others to heal and grow.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road — but it’s been meaningful.
One of my biggest challenges has been with confidence. Even with the education, training, and experience, I still wrestled with imposter syndrome. I’d question if I was “enough” — enough of an expert, enough of a presence, enough of a leader. For a long time, I thought being introverted was a weakness. I didn’t yet understand that quiet doesn’t mean incapable — it just means I lead and show up differently. Once I started embracing that part of myself instead of fighting it, I found a quieter kind of strength.
Perfectionism also tried to take the joy out of my journey. I used to think everything had to be flawless before I could launch it or share it — and that mindset can really delay progress and drain your peace. I’ve had to learn that done is better than perfect, and growth often happens in the doing.
Another major challenge was learning how to be a business owner. They don’t teach you that in grad school! I had to figure out how to balance the clinical side of my work with the business side — marketing, administration, accounting, systems — all while staying rooted in why I started. It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also helped me grow in confidence and leadership.
On a more personal level, one of the most transformative parts of my journey was deconstructing my faith. I had to untangle what I’d been taught from what I truly believed — to strip away fear-based theology and rebuild a relationship with God that was rooted in love, trust, and truth. That process was hard and sometimes lonely, but it’s given me a much healthier, more intimate relationship with God. My faith is now personal, alive, and honest.
And finally, there was the realization that not all relationships would survive my growth. As I stepped into my calling more fully — whether that meant starting my own practice, speaking, writing, or simply choosing myself — some connections shifted or faded. That was hard. But I’ve come to understand that not everyone is meant to go the full distance with you, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to honor what was while making room for what’s becoming.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every struggle has refined me. My faith, my identity, and my purpose are more grounded than ever. And I’m proud of the woman I’m still becoming.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Journey to Better LLC?
I’m the founder and owner of Journey to Better, LLC, a private counseling practice rooted in the belief that healing is not a destination — it’s a journey. I provide individual therapy to adults, with a heart for serving women who are navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and the quiet weight of always being “the strong one.” My style is warm, collaborative, and deeply affirming — I create space for clients to take off the cape and finally exhale.
What sets Journey to Better apart is the intentional blend of clinical expertise and cultural awareness. I bring my full self into the work — not just as a therapist, but as a Black woman, a mother, a wife, a faith-filled human who knows what it means to walk through hard seasons. My clients know they can show up as their whole selves — with their big feelings, their complex histories, and their bold dreams — and not be judged or minimized.
I also specialize in curating group experiences, wellness spaces and workshops designed for women, some specifically for Black women. My upcoming offerings include psychoeducational and therapeutic groups focused on stress reduction, relationship health, joy, and rest. These aren’t just groups — they’re sacred sister spaces where women can reflect, laugh, cry, heal, and feel held and heard.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that people associate my name and Journey to Better with authenticity, peace, and transformation. Whether through therapy sessions, workshops, writing, or speaking engagements, my mission remains the same: to help people feel seen, supported, and empowered to live fuller, freer lives.
In addition to therapy, I’ve also created resources like my 60-day guided journal Embrace the Calm, which helps women reduce stress and cultivate joy through reflection, intention, and small daily practices. I want women to know that they don’t have to wait for a crisis to prioritize their mental health. Your healing matters now — even in the messy middle.
Ultimately, Journey to Better is about helping people become more themselves — not more perfect, just more whole. That’s the work I love. That’s the work I’m called to do.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I wouldn’t call myself a natural risk-taker — I’ve always preferred plans, preparation, and knowing how things are going to turn out. As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve struggled with the fear of getting it wrong, especially in front of others. I hated the idea of making mistakes where people could see them. But over time, I realized I couldn’t let that fear keep me stuck.
One of the biggest risks I took was planning my first women’s retreat. I did it afraid. What if no one came? What if the activities flopped? What if I poured my heart into it and it wasn’t enough? But I showed up anyway — imperfect, nervous, and willing. And that retreat ended up being a transformational experience for the women who attended… and for me. It reminded me that the things we’re most scared to do are often the things we’re most called to do.
That moment also deepened my work as a therapist. So many of my clients — especially women — wrestle with the same things I did: fear of failure, fear of being seen, fear of not being “enough.” And what I tell them (and constantly remind myself) is that real growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. It happens in the stretch. It happens when we risk being seen, being vulnerable, and trying something new.
What I’ve learned is that being risk-averse is often about pride. We want to protect our image, avoid rejection, and stay in control. But healing — real, deep healing — requires that we get a little uncomfortable. It asks us to tell the truth, to ask for help, to try again, to trust ourselves and God in new ways.
There’s a quote by Marianne Williamson that sums it up beautifully. In her book A Return to Love, she writes:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure… Your playing small does not serve the world.”
That line always speaks to me, because it reminds me that shrinking in fear doesn’t honor who I was created to be. Now, when I feel fear rising, I ask myself: Am I avoiding this because it’s not aligned, or because it’s uncomfortable? And if it’s just discomfort, I try to lean in. Because on the other side of risk is growth, joy, self-trust, and usually a version of yourself you’ve been waiting to meet.
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling $135 per session
- Workshops & Speaking Engagement $450-$1000 (Pricing varies depending on the scope, length, and format)
- Retreat Facilitation (call or email to discuss price & availability)
- Group Therapy or Psychoeducational Group $40-$60 per session
- Embrace the Calm Guided Journal available on Amazon https://a.co/d/6igDt2f
Contact Info:
- Website: cwilsonpayne@jtbcounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChrystolLPC/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrystolwilson
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/chrystol-wilson-payne-norcross-ga/274519
