Celebrating One Year at Tim Jackson Counseling: Insights and Reflections
- Tim Jackson, LMFT
- May 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
Reflections on My First Year in Private Practice
One year ago, I took a bold step away from the structure of a group practice. I ventured into something personal and fulfilling, a dream I had nurtured for over a decade. Tim Jackson Counseling was born from my belief that therapy should feel safe, grounded, relational, curious, and deeply human.
While this marks my first year running my own practice, my journey with clients started much earlier. I have been learning, evolving, and holding space for the sacred work of healing. This milestone signifies not just a new beginning but the unfolding of a vocation I continue to grow into.
My logo, the lotus of eternal life, symbolizes this journey. The overlapping circles represent my view of therapy: it is not linear or neat. Instead, it is full of depth, interconnectedness, and movement toward wholeness.
As I reflect on this year, I want to share eight key insights I have gained along the way.
Lessons Learned in Counseling
Understanding the Whole Person
Clients often come to therapy because they are in pain. However, if we only focus on the symptoms, we miss the deeper stories. Therapy isn't about labeling someone with a diagnosis. It's about understanding their full context, including their history, identity, and emotional world beneath the surface. We are complex individuals, more than just our anxiety or relationship struggles. In therapy, we strive to see each person in their entirety.
Creating a Safe Space for Stories
Many carry untold stories about race, gender, religion, power, and trauma. Therapy must be more than just supportive; it needs to be authentic. I do not believe in neutrality regarding injustice. Instead, I advocate for showing up fully and listening with care. It is crucial to create a safe environment for these important conversations.
Attachment Patterns Matter
Whether addressing anxiety, self-doubt, depression, or relationship challenges, attachment patterns play a significant role. How we learned to connect—or not connect—shapes our present. By recognizing and exploring these patterns with compassion, meaningful change can become possible.
Discovering Core Values
In a world that constantly dictates who we should be, therapy provides a space to explore what truly matters to us. I have witnessed how identifying core values can be empowering. These values serve as daily anchors, guiding us even through pain. They remind us of our purpose and the direction we can take, even when the path ahead is unclear.
The Power of Choice
A powerful realization occurs when clients affirm, “I get to choose.” This choice encompasses relationships, how we spend our time, and how we treat ourselves. Understanding this agency helps reclaim our internal compass. Even in overwhelming circumstances, recognizing our choices can bring transformative change.
Honoring Survival Strategies
I often find myself thinking, “You’ve made it this far with so much on your back?” The survival strategies clients adopt—regardless of how messy they may seem—often made sense at one point. My role is not to dismantle these strategies but to help individuals understand their origins, honor their roles, and evaluate what still serves their journey.
Embracing Individuality in Therapy
Every individual who walks through my door brings something unique. There is no universal script for therapy. It must be flexible, collaborative, and creative. This approach is what makes therapy meaningful; it is not one-size-fits-all. Together, we shape the process according to individual needs and circumstances.
Caring for the Caregiver
I have learned—sometimes, the hard way—that I cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking time to slow down, to rest, and to set boundaries is not indulgent; it is essential. My ability to be present for others begins with caring for myself. This self-care encompasses attending to the parts of me that often go unseen.
To every client who has trusted me with their story this year (and the years prior), thank you! Your courage to show up, even during challenging moments, is inspiring. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being part of your healing journey. I have learned so much from each of you, and this experience has been incredibly rewarding.
This work is sacred. My practice in East Nashville—this little corner where people gather to explore their struggles and rediscover what matters—holds immense value for me.
Looking Ahead to Year Two
As I enter the second year of my practice, I am filled with gratitude and excitement about what lies ahead. I look forward to continuing this vital work, helping clients navigate their journeys, and celebrating their growth.
With deep respect and gratitude,
Tim
Tim Jackson, LMFT is a licensed therapist in the States of Tennessee and Virginia. Tim provides individual, relationship, and group counseling in his East Nashville counseling office and online for clients in Tennessee & Virginia.