Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jenkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I feel like the best place to start my story was when I first became connected to the helping profession. During my third year at the University of Virginia, I did a semester, completing what was called the University Internship Program. At that time, I wanted to become a lawyer, but the only available placement remotely close to the field was working with youth involved in the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.
One thing I immediately noticed when becoming introduced to system work was that most of the youth involved in the juvenile justice system looked like me; they were black and brown youth and families and yet most of the people involved in their care, providing supervision, making the decision in their treatment planning, and even responsible for telling the courts their stories, were majority, if not all, white. While many of the staff presented as supportive and did due diligence with regard to care, there still lacked representation within the treatment and service side of care, and for me that was a call to action. I felt that it was vital for the youth and families of color involved in the justice and child welfare systems to not only see representation within their treatment and services but also have someone who looked like them be able to advocate and make sure their voices and stories were being heard.
I wanted to make a difference and be the change I desired to see in the world, especially within under-resourced communities. I wanted to see equitable treatment and care, and to make quality resources and support accessible for the youth and families involved and navigating the system. Fast forward, I graduated from UVA in May and the very next month, I started my first “career” job as a Juvenile Probation/Parole Officer, at the same location I completed my internship. I worked in that field while completing my Master’s degree and then transitioned fully to the treatment side of the work. After leaving the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, I transitioned to work for Virginia Department of Corrections, at their multi-level/high-security prison for women as a Certified Institutional Rehabilitation Counselor. While excited about this new beginning, it was in this particular season of my life that things got really hard for me personally.
It was about 11 years ago, I believe, where I experienced one of the most difficult seasons in my life. All within a year, I lost my uncle to murder, my childhood best friend to suicide, and my first marriage was coming to an end due to my husband leaving me. It was at that time, while I was counseling women in a High-Security prison, while I was trying to navigate being in ministerial leadership and the wife of a leader in the church who left me to start another family, that I suddenly felt the weight of the loss and pain so intensely that it caused me to come to a place of desperation and hopelessness.
I struggled with suicidal ideation and sought mental health support, only to find that the experience, that despite my credentialing, my knowledge, my degrees or even my socioeconomic status, I encountered a mental health treatment experience that did not support nor serve me. Now I acknowledge that this was my personal experience but I must say, this experience all happened while I was living in Central Virginia, and I felt first hand some of the experiences that I had observed and heard shared by some of the the youth, women and families I had worked with; it felt sterile, inequitable, cold (temperature and emotional-wise) and that the providers within the acute psychiatric facility lacked compassion; I did not feel not seen nor heard, there was no connection. Despite my desperate moment, my efforts to find an anchor to live and reach out to the professionals entrusted to help me, the experience within this system made me feel like my life was not of value. It was this experience, along with the help of a few close friends and my family that served as catalyst and motivator for me to complete my degree and licensure and to pursue a full-time career in the mental health field.
Today, I am a trauma-specialized, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Mental Health Advocate, speaker, and Trainer, striving to cultivate helping professionals to provide quality and responsive mental health support; I desire to help professionals keep humanness in the work, and make sure individuals, especially in black and brown communities, have access to quality and equitable care. In my advocacy work, I strive to equip those impacted by life’s greatest challenges navigating transitions supportively and successfully, as well as raise awareness within public sectors, private organizations and corporations, working in the helping profession, and see the areas within their organizations where staff may be struggling with helping well. You see, while working within systems and even from my own experience, I saw a lot of workers who had the intention of helping others but were helping unwell; essentially beginning to bleed out emotionally on people who did not cut them and now part of my life’s work also includes supporting helping professionals navigate Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Vicarious Trauma.
Another important part of my story is that music has also been a lifesaver and a vehicle for me to heal and to promote change. I am a professional singer-songwriter who uses music to promote messages of hope and connection.
I have had the beautiful opportunity to use music in detention and correctional facilities, and use music within communities for outreach, I have had the opportunity to use music to inspire and uplift communities in the city of Baltimore, throughout the US, and even internationally. I am dedicated to being the change I desire to see in the world and I am so honored to continue to take part in the many opportunities, community partnerships, and collaborations, to use music as a vehicle to promote change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has not been one of ease, I can attest that every obstacle and challenge, truly equipped me for my new season, using my gifts to help those who are hurting and needing mental health support, and using my gift of music to inspire and uplift people! From tragedies and loss, losing my childhood best friend to suicide, becoming physically sick due to the insurmountable stress my body was experiencing such as going through a difficult divorce, struggling with managing life’s transitions and even personal responsibilities, I was still having to fight through all of that while finishing my clinical degree and hours. With the support of my family, friends, and community support, I was able to connect with help, heal, and reach my dreams of becoming a licensed mental health clinician, trainer, and serving those seeking hope through music and community advocacy.
My most recent obstacle yet now I have gladly welcomed it, was when I decided to leave system/government work, and step into the world of entrepreneurship and work for myself. My new challenge is learning to become a proficient entrepreneur to be able to help others who desire to help others in the mental health and wellness space. I desire to learn to build a healthy business to help others build a healthy business that can not only grow but also serve and support communities of color.
I received my undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Virginia and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work in the helping profession spans over 16 years providing therapeutic support and interventions to youth and adults involved in the correctional/mental health systems. In addition, I hold extensive experience facilitating professional development and training for public sector and community outreach organizations throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
I am a Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer (Youth and Adult), through the National Council for Well-being, which is a nationally accredited course. I am a Master Trainer in Adverse Childhood Experiences, through the ACE Interface cohort; and a certified facilitator of other various Trauma-Informed and Cognitive Behavioral training. Currently, I work at Anchored Hope Therapy, a highly specialized trauma-specific mental health private practice in Annapolis, Maryland and specialize in working with individuals and couples through life transitions as well as working with clients in the helping profession impacted by Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue. Since 2022, I have served as a consultant for Hope Ignited Training (https://hopeignitedtraining.com).
Regarding my advocacy and community outreach work, I spent a lot of time volunteering and serving under-resourced communities through food initiatives, community outreach events, collaborating with local organizations and community services boards to facilitate Mental Health awareness and suicide prevention training, and offering pro-bono therapy opportunities. Since 2020, I have served on the Board of Directors for the Life of Joy Foundation (https://lifeofjoyfoundation.org), a faith-based non-profit organization that is committed to fostering a holistic approach to mental health to help individuals and families build a sustainable life of joy. The next phase of my advocacy work within the mental health and suicide prevention advocacy space is to support faith-based community leaders in helping well. I just recently became certified as a trainer of Soul Shop™ For Black Churches, a curriculum developed in partnership with the American for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), to equip faith communities to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
I am also an entrepreneur, in August 2021, I took the courageous leap and launched my own mental health wellness, training, and consulting company called The Journey2Well, LLC, (https://thejourney2well.com). The purpose of The Journey2Well is to help people [re]discover the power that lies in their courage to become self-aware, to reclaim their narratives, and find power in telling their story to Feel Well, Be Well, and Live well, as well as offer training and support to organizations and leaders who are seeking assistance with cultivating emotionally healthier staff, leaders, and work environments.
When I am not providing therapy, or serving as an advocate and business owner, I lead worship, sing, and write songs. I currently serve as the praise and worship leader at St. Paul United Methodist Church, located in Oxon Hill, MD under the pastorship of the Rev. Dr. Daryl L. Williams. From 2013-2020, I served as the lead singer for the Christian band “withLove,” a Baltimore-based band, that uses music and service to spread the word of God and the message to all to “Love God, Love People, and do Everything with Love.”
During my time with the band, I performed on various Christian networks including Cornerstone TV, TCT, and Babbie’s House (Atlanta-based show hosted by gospel artist Babbie Mason); and toured both Nationally in the United States and Internationally in London and France. I currently sing Tenor for Gospel Recording Artist and group, Ryan Vincent Ford & Ministry.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland. I am the youngest of 3 sisters. My dad has run his own successful minority-owned construction company for over 40 years, and my mother who is now retired, was in leadership with the Federal government, Department of Justice, for over 33 years. My parents have been married for over 51 years; 52 years this July! Growing up, family has always been foundational to my life.
We traveled a lot both domestically and internationally, and spent most of our summers in South Carolina, visiting my aunts, uncles, and grandparents, as that was where my parents were from SC. I always saw my parents as great helpers; they would help family members who may have been struggling with life stressors, and other challenges; they were always showing up for the family and helping others. I truly believe their heart to help others and serve, really impacted me and my journey to serve. My parents worked hard to provide the life they did for me and my sisters; they truly allowed us to pursue our desired life goals and dreams. They made tremendous sacrifices to make sure that we stayed connected and close as a family and I am so grateful for that and how that value is now instilled in us.
I am so grateful for my family’s support system. My sisters are my inspiration and are doing amazing work in our community: My middle sister Bernita holds an Executive-level position in Leadership at a large banking corporation and yet continues to give back to the community, serving as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club. She is involved in various community outreach efforts as well. She and her husband have provided financial literacy within the community and circles of small business owners, and have served as an integral part of revitalizing the historic beach where my father’s family and other black families lived in Myrtle Beach. What is so important about this, and the area where we are doing this, is because this was the area where my sisters and I would spend our summers with our paternal grandparents, cousins, Aunts and Uncles; it’s a part of our generational history. So, to see my family work with other black families from this community, work to preserve the rich history of this beach, continue our family’s generational legacy, and to rebuild Atlantic Beach with the Black dollar is inspiring. There is an African proverb that says “When spiders unite, they can tie up a lion;” and for me, this reminds me that when we can come together, we can rebuild vibrant and flourishing communities.” My older sister Bashea is the co-founder of the non-profit The Baobab Tree Foundation and Educational Program Kuumba Kids (https://kuumbakids.com), her program is dedicated to nurturing and developing the whole child through initiatives that build a foundation for academic and social excellence for black and brown children.
In 2012, my oldest sister and her husband founded Wilson Baker Academy, a homeschool collective, to expose, enlighten, and empower black and brown children with the necessary knowledge, skills, character, and cultural framework to manifest their Nia and reach their highest potential. I love and continue to be amazed by my family! They continue to be the fuel to my fire of wanting to be the change I want to see in the world. Today, I am married to my husband Jaymes Ballard, who is an amazing visual artist and uses his art to inspire young people and communities not only throughout the DMV and Baltimore areas but also has had the opportunities to even inspire internationally. We have three amazing boys Jason (18), Bryce (15), and James (7).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thejourney2well.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejourney2well/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejourney2well
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lnjenkins/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejourney2well
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/iBdR3
- Other: https://hopeignitedtraining.com/consultant/lauren-jenkins-lcpc/
Image Credits
Ashleigh Bing Photography
