Meet Jasmine Gonzalez: Psychotherapist and Licensed Professional Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I believe the work of mental health professionals make profound impacts on their communities and the world at large. My services as a psychotherapist and licensed professional counselor helps people to navigate many difficult life situations. My military service originally inspired me to join the field of mental health and I have worked in a variety of different community settings to include the military, community mental health, and currently in the private practice setting providing counseling to the Dallas community. I work with clients of all ages and backgrounds including individuals, adolescents, and couples. I personally identify as multicultural and believe that as our communities grow more diverse, it is imperative that our mental health professionals become more representative of the communities, cultures, and populations they service. The work I do incorporates multicultural counseling that considers the effects of factors such as race, ethnicity, and other types of minorities, as well as how discrimination and oppression can affect one’s mental health. I use a variety of different techniques to adhere to the unique situation of my clients such as talk therapy, trauma/PTSD processing techniques, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Counselors help to alleviate mental health issues on a large scale. Mental health professionals remain vital to the health of our communities and ending the adverse effects of events that have taken place within these communities, such as the most recent global Covid-19 pandemic. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The most important aspect I would like to communicate about my brand and my professional practice is the basic acceptance and support I offer those I service regardless of who they are. I have ultimately gained a heart for working with the many diverse characteristics that my clients bring because I understand the challenge of not fitting into the “right” categories. My personal and professional experiences of working with diverse clientele including multicultural populations, the LGBTQIA+ community, and military veterans have allowed me to gain a profound empathy for the human experience. I hope my work continues to foster safe spaces for many within our communities who feel marginalized and who find it difficult to find help from culturally competent providers who have the ability to understand and communicate with people across cultures.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I can think of a few places I would like to spend time and take visitors. I feel like no visit to DFW is complete without strolling the beautiful gardens of the Dallas Arboretum no matter what time of year. The Dallas Design District and Uptown feature great walking spaces and a variety of exhibits and venues. The up-and-coming Shops at Legacy in Plano has it all; food, shopping, leisure, and live music! A day spent on one of DFW’s many lakes, such as Lake Lewisville or Lake Grapevine, also makes for fun adventures featuring boating, hiking, picnicking, and water sports. And no visit to Dallas would be complete without trying a variety of different hobbies offered by the myriad of talented creatives and instructors in the DFW area. My personal favorite classes I wouldn’t hesitate to bring a friend include yoga at Black Swan Yoga in Dallas, Latin dancing with Salsa with Jo in Denton, and aerial arts at Altitude Fitness in Frisco.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can think of many people that I owe recognition to. They all deserve a shoutout! One of the factors that encouraged me to do this work, was the kindness of others that ultimately inspired me to help others just as I was helped. I am a fond believer of the importance of community and that as people, we all need each other to grow. I know it’s a cliché thing to say, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my nucleus. My husband is my biggest supporter. He has always believed in me and offered me strength, even when I felt I didn’t have much left to give. He is an amazing husband and father and I am thankful to share my life with him. My parents, extended family, friends, mentors, supervisors, therapists, teachers, colleagues, and my old Army battle buddies have all offered me their endearing support throughout the years. I am also deeply grateful for the clients that allow me to work with them. Their strength, bravery, and impacting stories inspire me every day. I am truly thankful for everyone that has given me the opportunity to learn and grow.

Website: www.jgonzalezcounseling.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/therapywith_jas
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-gonzalez1