Meet Candace Oglesby

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candace Oglesby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Candace, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I don’t know if I would say I found purpose versus purpose found me. I remember being a little girl and my mom always advocating for me to support my community. Growing up in church, there was always a community service project going on. I recall one particular service project where we were serving those who were homeless. This has always stuck with me because I feel like it was my first introduction to the suffering happening in the world. This experience helped shape my path into social justice work and being an advocate for those suffering due to the oppressive nature of our systems here in America.

My purpose became extremely clear to me about four years ago when I was introduced to psychedelic-assisted therapy. It helped me intersect my 12 years of psychotherapy with aspects of mental health equity. This challenged me to be a peace builder for those desperately wanting to be rid of mental health suffering and to challenge the health industrial complex to explore its discriminatory practices.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

By trade, I am a psychotherapist and have been licensed as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for the past 12 years in the state of Maryland. Recently, I transitioned from group private practice to become a full-time entrepreneur with my own business, Jurnee Mental Health Consulting, LLC. Within my company, I advocate for mental health equity, working with businesses and organizations to promote cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed care. This involves not just addressing the needs of the populations they serve but also refining their policies and procedures to be more inclusive and supportive for employees.

I also teach, train, supervise, and mentor within my business. The most exciting aspect of being a mental health consultant is the opportunity to travel and educate people about the benefits of quality mental health care and its impact on every aspect of a person’s life. I appreciate when people ask how they can advocate for quality mental health, whether on a small or large scale, because we need more advocates, especially for disenfranchised and historically marginalized communities.

My brand is grounded in the principle that “to whom much is given, much is required.” This quote reflects my motivation and determination to be a disruptor of change. My brand represents authenticity, quality, loyalty, and integrity. Jurnee Mental Health Consulting offers a range of services, including mental health diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consulting for businesses committed to enhancing inclusivity and diversity. Additionally, I provide entrepreneurial coaching for therapists looking to transition from providing direct clinical care to mental health consulting services. I also offer supervision and consulting services to therapists needing support with case conceptualization or mentorship.

My work is driven by a passion for making a meaningful impact in the mental health field and ensuring that quality mental health care is accessible and equitable for all.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, the three most impactful qualities have been determination, curiosity, and love. Determination has driven me to persist through challenges and setbacks, ensuring that I continue to grow and improve. Curiosity has kept me open to learning and exploring new ideas, allowing me to expand my knowledge and skills. Love has been the foundation of my work, motivating me to help others and make a positive impact in the world.

For those who are early in their journey, my advice is to meet yourself with grace. Understand that growth and self-discovery take time, and it’s important to be kind to yourself along the way. I have been a psychotherapist for many years, and at the age of 36, I am now finally giving myself permission to explore other areas where my skills and gifts can be leveraged.

Don’t be afraid to take risks. In the past, many of my career decisions were based on fear—fear of disappointing those around me or fear of not having a steady income. However, I realize that I can’t please everyone, and even if I were doing everything perfectly, there would still be someone who would have something to say. Additionally, having a “job” often creates a false sense of security, as any job could decide to lay you off tomorrow. I would rather work for myself, experiencing the highs and lows of my own choices, than have someone else determine my pay, hours, and worth.

I have been working for myself full-time for the past six months, and it has been the most challenging yet beautiful experience I have given myself permission to encounter. Embrace your journey with determination, curiosity, and love, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to pursue your true passions.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I believe the biggest challenge for me over the past 12 months has been not being attached to the outcome of my decisions. This has been a significant growth edge for me because I have a part of myself that likes to control the narrative out of fear of discomfort. Who wants to be uncomfortable or challenged, right? But this has been something I have truly had to unlearn. It’s about power and control, and what I’ve realized as a human being is that, given the unpredictability of the world we live in, we have very little control.

Detaching myself from outcomes means I have to trust my future self and believe that she has the skills and resources to navigate what might be considered a hardship. I wouldn’t say that I have mastered this yet, but I am noticing how I am chipping away at it bit by bit. This process takes a lot of pressure off me to have multiple plan B’s in place. Learning to let go and trust in the journey has been challenging but also incredibly liberating and freeing, allowing me to focus more on the present and less on trying to control the future.

Image Credits

Babawale Adepoju