Today we’d like to introduce you to Tekesia Jackson-Rudd (Doctor TK).
Tekesia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Compton, California, in a single-family home with my mother. I was always ambitious and took my education seriously. I had a vision of giving back to Compton since I was a little girl. I knew I wanted to become a doctor, but unsure of what kind. As I progressed through school, it was evident that even though I did not “go without” due to mom working 2-3 jobs while my grandparents stepped in to help her, where I grew up was definitely in lack. I did not realize how “behind” I was in education (writing, speaking, world views) until I went to college. I felt three grades behind. Nevertheless, I was goal-oriented and had big dreams, so I looked for help anywhere I could get it (e.g., writing center, speech classes, etc.).
I then stumbled across a professor that made learning about psychology fun, and that’s when my life changed. I attended Cal State Dominguez Hills for my B.A and M.A in Clinical Psychology. I then moved to the Bay Area to receive my Doctorate in Clinical psychology (PsyD). During my graduate school years, I gained experience working with marginalized populations, similar to how I grew up, and knew I had found my purpose. From group homes, high schools, community-based mental health, to correctional facilities, I fell in love with the word I did as a counselor then Psychologist. I also was allowed to teach at the college level at the age of 25.
Current date, I have been teaching for over 16 years (undergraduate, masters, and doctoral psychology students). I have my private practice and saw a need for other therapists to NOT depend on a 9-5 to live life abundantly. This was the birth of business coaching programs for therapists for my business. I mostly attract 99% of my audience from Black communities full of excellent therapists across 25 states, and I teach them to have the best of BOTH worlds. I focus on therapists creating an epic lifestyle while making a dynamic impact in their communities. I teach them what was not taught in graduate school.
I am a mom of two (eldest son is a blended family). I have had my share of obstacles, but I believe being exposed to so much trauma myself as a child made me more resilient to bounce back and not stop. I always share with my college students and clients, just because you still live in the hood does not mean you have to have a hood mentality.
I have made my mission also to teach a series called “PTSD in the hood.” I have hosted this series on Facebook and Instagram life, my podcast, and in the community to non-profits that serve the re-entry population (recently incarcerated).
Great, 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?
Heck no. Obstacles included but are not limited to: Being told I wouldn’t graduate from high school, Behind in college in comparison to peers, Stereotypes as a Black Psychologist in which even my black counterparts at times did not want to call be Dr. Other professionals treating me “like I am just a girl from Compton” and not a professional. Psychology peers treating me less than not recognizing microaggressions with referring clients tome just because I am black without a clinical rationale. Divorced. Two surgeries to have a child. Bed rest at five months pregnant. At one point, my confidence struggled, and I felt like maybe I should be a “yes ma’am, stay at a 9-5 and just be Tekesia and not a psychologist.”
Father incarcerated throughout my childhood, so I battled with abandonment in early adulthood. Exposure to too much community violence and deemed it as “normal” until I started working with youth in the hood and saw the toll it took on their psychological well-being.
Professors asking me to speak ebonics because I told them, “I feel connected to the kids in a certain city through our means of communication.”
Branding 4 Abundance – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Branding Coach for Mental Health Professionals. I have a private practice and collaborate with community agencies to provide trauma-informed care to the re-entry population, various training to the community (including my church) on healthy relationships, coping skills, anger management, reducing stress, and moving through life transitions. I have written a book to facilitate mature conversations in relationships. My branding coaching business is geared for mental health therapists looking to develop, grow, or scale their private practice and additional income streams utilizing their gift as mental health therapists. I have a program called the Dope Therapist Academy – A private practice program that teaches therapists how to build a strong brand and market their private practice – everything they did not learn in graduate school. I am also an APA certified instructor – I provide various workshops for therapists to earn CEs to remain licensed and grow their business simultaneously. I stand out because I teach them what IS possible versus “what not to do.” They are attracted to my energy, authenticity, and “realness.” I also a firm believer in practicing what I preach in my personal and business endeavors.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Becoming the first person to earn a doctorate in my immediate family. Making my annual income my monthly income. Being a full-time wife, mom and business at the same time. We can truly have it all. Retiring my husband – he works with me in the business – we both work from everywhere. Biggest moment – giving back to clinicians who look like me! Teaching them what is possible. Serving as a mentor and pushing them beyond their limitations. Also, teaching my children about generational wealth and showing two black boys that you can have dreams, be strong black men and have your own business. We define our own wealth.
Pricing:
- Foundations: 12 Steps to a Divine Relationship $14 on Amazon
- Therapist Motivation mugs/gear on my website $9-20
Contact Info:
- Address: 18000 Studebaker Road #700, Cerritos, CA 90703
- Website: WWW.DOCTORTK.COM
- Phone: 310-668-1625
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctortkpsych/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctortkpsych/
Image Credit:
3 Black therapist in photo https://www.instagram.com/mrcrysphotography/, Construction photo – Collaboration with PV Jobs in Los Angeles – Trauma Informed Care Trainings and Clinical Support for staff (re-entry program) – Program Director in photo Mary Taylor and myself
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