Today we’d like to introduce you to Amari Jackson.
Hi Amari, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I originally was pursuing a career in nursing and quickly realized during training as a nursing assistant that working in medicine was not the best fit for me at that time. Growing Boundlessly was founded during one of the most challenging times of my life. I was in graduate school and essentially had to build myself from rock bottom. Before I was licensed as a therapist, I began sharing motivational posts and being transparent about my journey to rebuilding myself. Once I finished school, I was able to transition the focus to sharing mental health information and shifting my focus to the mental wellness of black and indigenous people of color. To date, we have over ten therapists and two administrative staff and growing. We are looking forward to continuing to grow boundlessly and continue breaking the stigma of mental health in communities of color.
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?
This road has been very rocky. The biggest challenge I’ve seen has been with hiring and receiving adequate funding to continue to support the business. As a small business, we have consistently pivoted and grown our marketing and business to support these challenges. In addition due to COVID, we had to completely shift the way we structure and organize our business and the way we do therapy. The pandemic completely shed a light to the mental health challenges people are facing and increased our ability to manage client care by hiring more therapists and staff. It has been enlightening to see how despite the many challenges COVID brought how it helped people to see mental health in a more serious light.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and holistic wellness advocate. I am also trained in complementary/alternative medicine, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and I am a Level 3 reiki healer. While I am currently on sabbatical from client care, I provide clinical support for my team of clinicians and utilize my skills and background to help train my team in appropriate client care. I am most known for my holistic approach to client care and my ability to pull the best out of my team. I also don’t want to own them forever. I encourage my team to grow and challenge them to work hard towards their goals.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are so many people that have paved the way for me to be in the position that I am in. Of course, my parents (my late father) and my grandmother were instrumental in literally creating and raising me. I also of course, give credit to God and my ancestors who supported my dreams and orchestrated things for me behind the scenes that I could not have accomplished on my own. I’m eternally grateful. I’ve had mentors that I chose and those that chose me as well. Mandisa Jones who encouraged me to quit my job and take the leap, I also am currently enrolled in an accelerator program that has paved the way for me to connect to capital that has helped me to learn how to sustainably grow my business. I also had an amazing financial advisor who connected me other resources like grants and consultants to help me grow my business. I must not forget my first business coach Bianca Shellie-Robinson who literally forced me to put my business out there for the world to see. I was so afraid and wanted it to be perfect she encouraged me to not let perfect be the enemy of good. My own therapists that I have had since I was 19 years old. My first-ever therapist Dr. Yvonne Paterson unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago but her actually helping me heal and find my voice changed the course of my life. I hope that I am making those living a deceased proud.
Pricing:
- We accept most major insurances and plan to expand to other states in the future.
- We offer cash rates from $130 per session
- We offer sliding scale and probono rates for those who are uninsured
Contact Info:
- Website: www.growingboundlessly.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/growingboundlessly
- Facebook: facebook.com/GrowingBoundlessly
- Twitter: @growboundlessly
- Youtube: growingboundlessly
Image Credits
Amari Jackson’s Headshot: Shaun-Andru
