Jadese Jasper,

What made you decide to become a counselor?

I was drawn to counseling because I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted. I've always been curious about people, why we think the way we do, how our experiences shape us, and what allows us to grow. I value creating therapeutic relationships built on curiosity, compassion, and collaboration, where clients can explore life's challenges while also recognizing their own strengths and resilience.

If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their

lives, what would it be?

Present-moment awareness. It's so easy to become swept up in what happened in the past or what might happen in the future that we lose connection with what's happening right now. Learning to pause, notice your five senses, connect with your body, and ground yourself in the present can be incredibly powerful. I love the idea that mindfulness doesn't require us to eliminate every uncomfortable thought or feeling; sometimes, we can simply learn how to notice them without allowing them to take over.

Have you personally been in counseling, and if so, what did you

learn about yourself?

Yes. I started counseling in my late teens, and initially, I was very hesitant. Growing up in a Black household, some of the messages I received were that therapy was expensive or something you pursued only when you were experiencing a major crisis. However, I knew that I was struggling, and regardless of whether my struggles looked “major” to anyone else, seeking therapy became one of the first ways I consciously chose myself. That experience taught me the importance of honoring our own needs rather than waiting until our pain becomes unbearable or understandable to everyone else. That sense of self-empowerment has continued to sustain my own personal therapy work and influences the respect I have for anyone who chooses to begin counseling.

If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it

be?

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It's a short book, but I find something different in it every time. I especially connect with its exploration of identity, belonging, relationships, and learning what truly matters to us. So many of us spend our lives believing there are parts of ourselves that are “wrong” because we've absorbed messages about who we're supposed to be. I love the idea of becoming curious about those narratives instead. Sometimes healing isn't about

changing who we are, it's about changing the way we've learned to see ourselves.

Who is your ideal client?

Someone who is curious about themselves and ready to begin releasing the pressure to show up a certain way. My ideal client doesn't need to have everything figured out or even know exactly what they want from therapy. I enjoy working with people who are willing to get curious about the parts of themselves they may typically avoid, question old patterns, and gradually experiment with new ways of relating to themselves and others. Most importantly, I value someone who is willing to meet me halfway so we can approach therapy as a team.

What inspires you to help others?

I'm inspired by the power of genuine human connection. Sometimes being heard, believed, and accepted without judgment can create the safety someone needs to begin looking at their life differently. Knowing that I may have the opportunity to create that kind of space for another person is what motivates me to continue learning, growing, and showing up authentically as a counselor.

How do you personally practice self-care?

I'm drawn to meditation and breathwork, and I'm looking forward to beginning my yoga journey. I also love listening to music while taking walks with my dog, trying a new recipe, and falling down the occasional history-video rabbit hole on YouTube.

For me, self-care doesn't always have to be elaborate. Sometimes it's simply finding small ways to slow down, reconnect with myself, and enjoy the things that make me feel like me.

If you were hosting a dinner party, who are three people you would

invite and why?

Ooo, this is fun! Beyoncé, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso.

Beyoncé because I'm absolutely part of the Beyhive, lol, and I'd love to pick her brain about creativity, discipline, and how she navigates being a mother, wife, businesswoman, and international icon. I'd invite Frida Kahlo because I've always been fascinated by the way she transformed immense physical and emotional pain into art. I'd love to hear her speak about identity, creativity, relationships, and her emotional life in her own words. And Picasso because I've always been fascinated by the relationship between creativity, personality, and psychological well-being. I'd be curious to hear him reflect on his life,

relationships, artistic process, and what he would think about the way he's understood today. It would definitely be an interesting dinner!

How do you relate to mindfulness? How do you incorporate it into

your sessions?

I see mindfulness as a lifelong practice rather than something we eventually arrive at and “master.” That's something I hope to communicate to clients as well. There is no expectation of being perfectly present or having a completely quiet mind. Instead, I view mindfulness as a collection of tools that can help us become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, bodies, and surroundings without immediately judging what we notice. Depending on the client's needs and comfort level, we may explore practices such as breathwork, grounding through the senses, body scans, guided meditation, or visualization. My hope is that clients can eventually take the practices that resonate with them beyond the therapy room and incorporate them into everyday life.