Brandi Jackson: Author & Holistic Mental Health Therapist

With May bringing Mental Health Awareness to the forefront, we took the time to speak with Holistic Mental Health Therapist and Author, Brandi Jackson, about the valuable work she does and the ways in which we can nurture our mental and emotional well-being.

AFIYA: Please share more about your background as a Holistic Mental Health Therapist and the work that you do.

I have been a practicing counselor and mental health therapist for over a decade. When I decided to open my private practice, I wanted to focus on a holistic approach through movement/exercise, self-care, and nutrition. Over the years, I noticed a pattern where my clients who included physical and nutritional wellness along with self-care and mental health coping were healing much faster and had stronger prevention factors for stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms than my clients who were not using a holistic approach. I continue to practice Holistic Mental Health Therapy with clients because it works and ultimately improves the overall quality of life.

AFIYA: When it comes to lifestyle habits and mental & emotional health, What are some things you often come across that tend to be significant challenges?

Deciding to make the time is a significant challenge, it can be tricky to set aside precious time for a therapy session and then also set aside and schedule time to work on “homework”. Sometimes, clients may underestimate how deciding to make time is ultimately the precursor for making space for change beyond the therapy component.

AFIYA: Please tell us about your newest book, Boundaries and Balance: How to Say No and Still Be Likable.

I wrote Boundaries and Balance: How to Say No and Still Be Likable in order to create a resource that my clients and women similar to my clients could use on multiple occasions and return to for support and direction as their lives evolve. It includes practical real-life ways to set boundaries, templates to practice speaking your boundaries to others in diplomatic ways, and powerful tools to consider for boundaries in different types of relationships and environments.

AFIYA: How do you suggest addressing emotional issues that stem from discord with the family for those who may not know where to start?

Start by connecting with how you feel. Whatever you feel is likely indicating that your relationships are unhealthy. If you feel stress, anxious, taken advantage of, disrespected or other negative emotions, it is important to acknowledge your feelings first to yourself. Consider why you feel a negative response. Think about if your feelings are something that you are playing a role in. Are you enabling the negative interaction or connection? Next, consider communicating how and why you feel the way you do with your loved one if they are doing something that is upsetting you, something that you don’t like, or something that simply doesn’t work for you. A lot of what is written in my book covers different scenarios for familial discord. Also consider working with a Therapist or Wellness Coach to look deeply for meaning and processing emotions, which can help you, organize feelings, thoughts, and actions for your most important relationships.

AFIYA: What is your advice to busy women and mothers who are struggling to create more time for self-care?

There are only 24 hours in a day. If you don’t offer any time to yourself, there’s going to be a cost to pay. As humans, we require nurturing attendance to thrive, it’s that simple. Pay yourself first when it comes to wellness. If you want to support others, that’s great too. When you decide to make time for your self-care and wellness you become more productive to support others. But the biggest benefit is the peace, the increased quality of life, and the feelings of contentment that come with making time for you.

AFIYA: Where can we find you to stay connected?
IG @brandijacksonwellness
YouTube: Brandi Jackson Wellness