We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Hi Lauren, 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 tell anyone that will listen, my professional journey has been a walk fueled by my faith. My purpose is fully due to my relationship with God. My constant prayer is “God, please make sure that what I am doing is on the path that you have for me, and not the path that I have created for myself in your name.” No matter how difficult the road may get, I remind myself that this journey is not and has never been about me. With that, I am able to accept that whatever hardships may come, as it is preparing me to be able to do something beautiful on the other side.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the owner and clinician of The Jewel Box Counseling, PLLC. We opened in April 2024, offering telehealth services to individuals, families, and couples starting at age 10. It is my belief that mental health services should be available for anyone who is in need. At The Jewel Box Counseling, it is important that we provide trauma informed care in a comfortable, relaxed and non-judgmental setting. This is not to say that going through therapy is easy. I like to remind my clients that if we are actually doing the work, sometimes it will get a little rough, however, the healing and growth makes it worth it.
Currently, I am a one woman practice. It is my goal to eventually turn The Jewel Box Counseling into a group practice to reach more clients. In addition, the plan is to extend into nonprofit work, with a focus on providing mental health services to underprivileged youth as well as re-entry services to those juveniles at the end of an incarceration.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Organization, being a lifetime learner, and mastering the art of pivoting. Starting your own business is difficult, especially when you are a one (wo)man show. Organization is key to being successful. There are a plethora of moving parts and it is easy to forget something is needed, allow small tasks to fall through the cracks, and get so focused on the here and now that you forget the bigger picture. One of the best decisions that I made was to keep a running list of ideas for growth in addition to a weekly to do list to ensure that everything gets accomplished.
Being a lifetime learner has helped to make my business a success. I’ve had to learn everything from the proper skills of therapy to the basics of running my own business. Even in the mistakes I make, I identify the lesson and apply it as I continue to move forward and prosper. I am a firm believer that you can learn from anyone you come into contact with, and approach each connection as an opportunity to build my knowledge base.
Finally, mastering the art of the pivot has been one of my strongest skills. As I have navigated this new phase of my life, and life in general, I have learned not to be too stringent in my planning. There are times where what I believe in theory could work, does not work in practice. I have quickly learned to process any feelings that I have and make a plan of action for change, so I can continue moving forward.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
There are two people that come to mind–one professionally, and one personally. I will sing my previous clinical supervisor, Pearl (Bryant) Robinson’s, praises whenever giving the opportunity. In order to become a clinical social worker in Texas, you must complete 3,000 hours of experience under the guidance of a supervisor over the course of two years. When I started supervision, I did so because it was the next step. I had no plan or idea of what my ultimate goal was. Pearl used supervision as a way to not only help me be a knowledgeable, ethical, and effective therapist, she also used this time to help me find my path. This speaks to not only the kind of supervisor she is, but also shows how amazing she is as a social worker.
Personally–I would not be where I am if it weren’t for my older sister Demetria. My sister is and has always been my rock. She allows me the space to show up as completely myself. I can express my vulnerabilities without the fear of being judged. My sister is able to hear how I say hello on a phone call and automatically know if I am overwhelmed or need to vent. She always follows up with “what can I do to help”. When I told my sister about my dream for my business, she immediately started using her experience in healthcare to help me get it off the ground. When I expressed my dream to expand to a group practice and non-profit, she tapped into her management skills and created an outline for onboarding and orientation needs. She did all of this based off her love for me, explicitly stating that paying her shouldn’t be on my list of priorities. I am allowed the space to execute any dream that I have because no matter how massive the undertaking, I never have to carry it alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jewelboxcounseling.com
- Instagram: @jewelboxcounseling
Image Credits
Nequel Cleggett
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