Jasmine Simmons shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jasmine, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I feel that people are secretly struggling with hiding how they really feel and digging into the core emotions due to not wanting to “Feel” This is why we see many people say to a person when they may be dealing with stress “Dont think about it” “Everything is okay” They say this because this is what they tell themselves to suppress the true emotions.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jasmine Simmons and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I am a clinical therapist at my own private practice, EviJoy Counseling and see clients mainly who are struggling with anxiety, trauma and perinatal/infertility issues. I also work at Mcdaniel College at the wellness center with short term counseling and running workshops and groups.
EviJoy Counseling Center started off with just me and my billing assistant in 2021 and has grown to 10 clinicians at the practice. EviJoy Counseling has a few clinicians that have a certain niche such as couples counseling, perinatal mental health (postpartum anxiety, depression, pregnancy loss or pregnancy and infertility treatments). EviJoy Counseling is working on continuing to provide the best mental health help we can to a diverse population and work on pulling in more clinical psychoeducation such as fertility counseling and clinical internship placements for graduate students.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I feel that there have been different moments in my life that has really shaped me on how I see the world. First as a child, experience hardships in Africa and growing up as an adult in America, it made me appreciate so much in life realizing that I can do anything I put my mind into despite challenges that could come my way. Also, going through infertility treatments such as IVF and experiencing reproductive health challenges plus pregnancy loss, it made me see the world very differently. It made me realize that what we battle internally can never truly be understood by others and even if it is, it does not change what you are going through behind closed doors. I started to value the importance of nature and mindfulness. Really tapping into the deeper core of my soul in finding peace and staying grounding. That allowed me to live within the phrase we hear all the time “Focus on what is in your control”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
This is a very deep question but a good one and an important one to answer. Suffering taught me that healing is always an ongoing process. You have to be prepared to face the suffering every single part of that emotion/pain in order to really be able to walk into your healing process. Also, once you reach the healing process you have to work the steps there in order to stay there and reach a balance. I had to face myself in ways that success never taught me. Success told me to keep going while suffering taught me that in order to keep going, I had to be willing to continue to the path of healing.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I feel that the public version is the real me because of every challenge and experience I have been through, as shaped me to be an authentic person. I am not scared to express my feelings and tap into my vulnerable side. I feel that in life in order for me to feel like I am “living” I have to embrace the good and the bad that happens in my life.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel that I am doing what I am born to do. I always knew I was born to be some type of helper, and I have always connected to listening to others and providing advice/insight before I became a therapist, I was the one people would go to all of the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evijoycounseling.com
- Instagram: evijoy.counseling
Image Credits
Purity Touch Photography
