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

Hi TORI, how does your business help the community?
Graceful Journey Counseling Services provides grace and space for individuals to acknowledge and begin the first steps on the road to true healing and emotional and mental wellness. We provide a compassionate, culturally-competent, theoretically-sound and faith-based therapeutic approach that focuses on engaging and meeting each person where they are on their healing journey. We are passionate about helping those in need find the confidence and strength needed to walk in the light of who they have been created to be. The practice epitomizes service to all by placing emphasis on trust, authenticity, compassion, wise and pragmatic counsel, professionalism and of course, grace. We understand the importance of mental wellness and how it is fundamental to the health of the individual, the family and ultimately the community.

What should our readers know about your business?
About my business: As a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in providing compassionate and graceful guidance for those navigating various aspects of life. With a fourteen-year career as a Licensed Mortician as a backdrop, I specializes in grief and loss, practicing from the belief that any barrier to mental wellness is ultimately attributed to some sense of loss. Be it the loss of a loved one; the loss of a relationship or marriage; loss of a job or career; loss of safety and security after experiencing trauma or loss of confidence in one’s ability to thrive. Whatever the loss, I believe that grace and space to acknowledge and properly grieve loss is the first step on the road to true healing and emotional and mental wholeness. In starting my business, my goal was to create a safe environment where meaningful work through past hurts is facilitated; where one can find freedom from ongoing struggles–growing fully into who they were called to be and thrive in life and relationships. I believe this most sacred work can only be done through a relationship of trust, genuine honesty, and authenticity along with an engaging, down-to-earth and collaborative therapy style. What sets me apart from others and what I am most proud of is how I’ve been able to integrate two of my passions, Funeral Service and Mental Health into a business that personifies my love for serving others during some of the most difficult times of their lives. My life’s work is a ministry of service that is unlike any other. I am most proud of the nearly twenty years of serving the community and committing to helping people find the light on their journey. I am most proud of the commitment to serving with grace and integrity and to being a safe space. I’m also proud that we are able to serve individuals in the states of Texas (in-person and virtually); Georgia and New Jersey (virtually only for both states). Getting where I am today in business was a series of mountain-highs and valley-lows. It certainly was not easy. When I’m asked this question, I’m reminded of the beginning days of my Funeral Service career when I started making $5.25 per hour with a Bachelor’s Degree and an Associates Degree. It was there that I learned the fundamentals of running a business from serving families to washing service vehicles and learning how to do payroll taxes. I would remind myself not to despise the days of small beginnings because there is a great recompense of reward if you do not faint. The strength of my business comes from the work I put into other businesses that I was blessed to manage along the way. I cared for those businesses as if they were my own and I’m now reaping the harvest of the seeds of faithfulness sown in others. I am a firm believer that what you make happen for others, God makes it happen for you. It was not easy and there were challenges. From self-doubt and fear of failure, there were days I wondered if I was doing the right thing. But everyday I remind myself that I’m not doing this on my own strength and I do not have to wait until doubt and fear have dissipated in order to keep going. I lean heavily on my faith and see each challenge as an opportunity to strengthen my faith while starving my fear and doubts. Lessons: 1. Failure is a necessary backdrop to success. 2. Every chance isn’t an opportunity. Everything isn’t for me and my journey. I must be discerning even when presented with opportunities. 3. If you can fulfill your dream alone, you’re not dreaming big enough. 4. Risks must be calculated, not contemplated. I want the world to know that my story is your story. I’ve experienced the best and worst that life has to offer and I was able to persevere. You are not your mistakes and as long as you’re still breathing, you can have and create the life that God has for you. My brand and my story has its foundation God’s saving grace and mercy. I’ve dedicated my life to providing hope, grace and mercy to every person I meet. I am honored that over the last fifteen years, I’ve been blessed to serve so many people during some of the most difficult times of their lives. I made a vow to God that if He would bless me, that I would spend the rest of my life blessing others through service. Everyday I pray and ask God to use me how He sees fit to show love and grace to others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve always wanted to live in Dallas. This desire goes back to my days as a student at the University of Oklahoma and coming to Dallas every year for OU/TX weekend was so exciting for me. Dallas is a foodie town so I would do everything from Trinity Groves to the Bishop Arts District and Deep Ellum. I love catching shows at the House of Blues and the Music Hall at Fair Park. I love the Texas southern hospitality. I have a wonder circle of people here so hanging out with friends on various patios has been the highlight of my time here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I know that if it had not been the Lord that was on my side, I would not be where I am today. I’m also thankful for my family who have been so supportive of every risk I’ve taken in my life. My mother taught me how to bring my faith and works together and I am truly thankful. I am also thankful for my support circle–my friends that have become my family. To every person that referred someone, gave out my business card–I thank you. For everyone that believed in me–thank you. You all are the real MVPs.

Website: www.gracefuljourneycounseling.com
Instagram: @therapytoritalks
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-d-b82905a0/
Twitter: @TherapistTori
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracefuljourneycounseling/

Image Credits
Photos by: Adina Starke at Enchantment Studios

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