Today we’d like to introduce you to Judith Jimenez.
Hi Judith, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It’s truly a pleasure to share a bit about my journey with you. My story began in Jamaica, where I was born and raised. Even from a young age, I felt a deep pull towards helping others, whether it was through philanthropy, education, or simply promoting overall well-being. My friends even started calling me “counselor” because I was always there to offer guidance and advice.
Life wasn’t always easy, though. At 15, I **broke both my legs** and had to go through the arduous process of **learning to walk again**. There were also days in high school when I went **without lunch money**. But through it all, I saw my incredible mother doing everything she could to give me a solid foundation. Her resilience and determination deeply inspired me and helped me stay courageous. I made a vow then: I would not give up, and I would take care of her when I found success. My father was equally instrumental. He worked incredibly hard as a farmer, and what we lacked financially, he more than made up for with **love**. His dedication also gave us an unshakeable foundation.
In 1992, I made the big move to the United States to pursue higher education. I started at Baltimore City Community College, earning an AA in Paralegal Studies because my initial dream was to become an attorney. But my path evolved, and I went on to the University of Baltimore for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. From there, I earned a Master of Education with a concentration in Vocational Rehabilitation from Coppin State University.
Ultimately, my lifelong calling to mental health led me to become a **Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor**. Today, I work as a **Hospital Transition of Care Coordinator**, and my employers have consistently recognized my passion for my clients. I always strive to make sure they know how much they’re valued, that they are so much more than just a number. My journey has also led me to become a wife to my loving husband, Jose, and a mother to our three wonderful sons, whom I affectionately call Prince Jared, Prince Jeremy, and Prince Jaeden, not to mention our cat, GW!
Recently, I embarked on a new adventure: **writing**. My book, *”While You Are Still Here: Special Tributes and Walks Down Memory Lane,”* started as a tribute to my mother but quickly blossomed to include other beloved family members and friends, using both words and photos to revisit precious memories. It was a labor of love, driven by the desire to express how much my loved ones mean to me *today*, avoiding those “I wish I had” or “I wish I could” regrets. This project truly ignited a spark in me; I’ve been bitten by the “writer’s bug,” and I can tell you this won’t be the last you hear from me!
My experiences, including personal struggles like late-term miscarriages and facing implicit bias, have only deepened my commitment to mental health support and empowering individuals to find their voice, especially in the maternal health experience. It’s truly a privilege to combine my professional expertise with my personal insights to help others navigate their own journeys.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life hasn’t always been easy. At the age of 15, I broke both of my legs in an automobile accident and had to endure the challenging process of learning to walk again. I spent two months in the hospital, followed by two months at home and then physical therapy. I also fractured my pelvic bone in that accident, and many predicted that I would not be able to have children. Fortunately, that prediction turned out to be false; however, I did face some complications during the delivery of my children due to the earlier injury.
In high school, there were days when I went without lunch money. I even harvested almonds from the trees on the grounds of William Knibb Memorial High School, but I was too ashamed to tell anyone how much I was struggling, as kids can be quite mean at times.
When I came to the United States, I encountered challenges in paying for college. However, I was able to write essays to obtain small scholarships that few people applied for. I worked on campus for the allowed 20 hours a week, and later, I took a job at an Amoco gas station, working the midnight shift from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. No matter how difficult it was, I knew I could not give up.
Another challenging period in my life was experiencing two late-term miscarriages—my daughter Hailey at 5.5 months and my son Javier at 7 months. These losses plunged me into a deep depression, though I didn’t recognize it as such at the time. With my current insight, I am grateful that I survived that dark period in my life. such a dark period in my life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over two decades of experience. I also hold certifications as an Employee Assistance Professional and Case Manager, and I’ve got a strong educational background with a Master’s in Vocational Rehabilitation, a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and even an Associate’s in Paralegal Studies.
What do I specialize in? Well, my lifelong calling has been to help people navigate life’s challenges, especially when it comes to mental health and well-being. My friends even nicknamed me “counselor” when I was a child because they always sought me out for guidance and advice. Currently, I work as a Hospital Transition of Care Coordinator, and I’m a Case Manager at Carefirst, where I help individuals with complex health needs every single day. I’m known for being incredibly passionate about my clients, always making sure they feel valued and heard, never just like another number.
What am I most proud of? I’m incredibly proud of my ability to turn personal struggles into a source of strength and empathy. I’m proud of my commitment to supporting others, whether it’s through my counseling work, my advocacy for maternal health, or by inspiring people through my writing. I’m also a loving wife to my husband, Jose, and a mother to our three sons, whom I affectionately call Prince Jared, Prince Jeremy, and Prince Jaeden. They, along with our cat GW, are my greatest joy.
What sets me apart from others? I believe it’s the unique blend of my professional expertise and my personal journey. My own experiences, including navigating late-term miscarriages and implicit bias, have given me a deeper understanding of the human spirit and the vital importance of mental health support. I’m not just someone who has studied these topics; I’ve lived them. This allows me to connect with people on a profoundly authentic level, truly understanding their struggles and helping them find their voice and their strength. I don’t want anyone to live with the regret of “I wish I had, or I wish I could,” which is why I’m so passionate about encouraging people to express their love and reconnect with those they haven’t spoken to in a while.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I’ve learned so much over the years, and if I could go back and whisper a few things to my younger self, or to anyone just beginning, here’s what I’d say.
Embrace Your Struggles, They Forge Your Strength! Sometime we might become fearful of the unknown and hesitate to push ahead, but I really believe I am stronger today because of the foundation and my struggles as well as my successes are key components to who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://freshwebdesigns.wixsite.com/while-you-still-here
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judith.jimenez.31924/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-jimenez-m-ed-lcpc-ceap-ccm-3404b862
