Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikhol B. Jackson, LPC, MFT, MAC.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In college at the University of Georgia, I majored in Psychology. I knew that eventually one day I wanted to own and operate my own Counseling Private Practice. In 2002 while working on my Master’s Degree my husband and I became pregnant with our first daughter. Tragically this pregnancy resulted in a still birth in February of 2003. This was a very traumatic experience for me and I struggled with grief, loss and depression for years after it. I sought help in a local support group called SHARE Atlanta and gradually the dark clouds lifted and I began to hope and appreciate life again. 2 years later we were blessed with our oldest living daughter Autumn Malae… God has been good to us and now we are the proud parents of 4 beautiful children, 2 girls, Autumn & Aubrey and 2 boys, Austin & Aurian.
Fast forward several years later from 2003 as I was wrapping up my Master’s Degree I began to think about my future career path. After what I had been through I developed an even deeper desire to provide counseling and behavioral health services to the community. I wanted to help people, especially women, who had been through life altering transitions. I wanted a company name that was meaningful, something designed with purpose. In 2009 Just a Journey Counseling was founded. The initials of the company JAJ, are my deceased daughter’s initials. Jaden Alexandria Jackson. Our motto is “Your Healing Is Just A Journey Away!” I am a living testimony that even after the darkest or times, Hope, Healing, Peace & Recovery are Just A Journey Away!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No it has not been. Being a business owner is not all glitter and glam. In fact, there is not much glitter and glam to it at all. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely perks, but this thing is a lot of work. Managing the business, family, marriage and developing my own personal goals has been a lot to juggle. I could not have done any of what I have done without God, my WONDERFUL husband and my DYNAMIC office staff. I have been blessed to work with a team of people who believe in me and in the vision that God has given me and I do not take this for granted.
I have learned so much about business and about myself as a woman, wife, mother and entrepreneur over the last 8 years… I have made a lot of mistakes and although I never want to repeat any of them, I am grateful for the Journey because they have taught me valuable lessons.
Please tell us about Just A Journey Counseling & Psychological Services.
Just A Journey Counseling & Psychological Services, LLC is a professional, Christian based, comprehensive behavioral health agency focusing on the counseling and therapy needs of children, adolescents, and adults in the Stockbridge, GA and the surrounding areas.
We offer a variety of services including individual, couples counseling, and group psychological testing, grief counseling, support groups, psychotherapy, life coaching, community programs, and much more.
What sets us apart from other counseling agency is our “one stop shop” approach. We attempt to provide all of the most common and sought after behavioral health needs. If there is a needed service that we do not directly provide, we work on identifying a provider that does. We pride ourselves on establishing good working referral partnerships with other companies so that when we make a referral for services our clients are already set up with a location to go to and an appointment when possible.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have consulted with a business attorney and a CPA prior to starting my company. I believe that when you know better you should do better and I think that many of the situations that I found myself in over the past 8 years could have been avoided had I been better educated regarding business set up.
Contact Info:
- Address: 157 Burke Street Suite 119
Stockbridge, GA 30281 - Website: www.justajourneycounseling.com
- Phone: 6782499311
- Email: jajc.info@gmail.com
- Facebook: Just A Journey Counseling & Psychological Services, LLC
- Twitter: @jajcounseling
Image Credit:
Company Logo: Tara Brown – Tara Brown Designs
Photo: Cherise B. Thomas – White Diamond Image Consulting (Hair, Wardrobe)
Make Up: GG – GG Brow & Beauty Bar
Photography – Aldrick Williams – AWP Media
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
