Welcome to another addition to our mini-series, let’s dive in. PaSH is centered around sharing inspiring stories, breaking down stereotypes, and sharing the authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that make entrepreneurs so amazing. Let’s dive into, “Professional Intimacy: How Therapist Myra Jackson Guides Clients to Deeper Connections and Balances a Business”.
Meet Myra Jackson
Myra Jackson – Licensed Therapist and Founder of Freely Therapy, recently featured on BlackDoctors.org for her advocacy and innovative approach to mental health and wellness. “I genuinely enjoy getting to know people for who they are. I believe we should not be held back by our past experiences or current circumstances. I am passionate about helping clients identify, develop and utilize the strengths that they already possess to aid in reaching their goals of improving their mental health. My approach is solution focused so I help clients come up with workable solutions to present problems and future goals. My clients have often described me as patient, personable and non-judgmental. In my free time I enjoy working out, seeking new adventures, spending time with loved ones and baking cookies”. Myra Jackson
What’s one misconception people have about your industry that drives you crazy?
When I tell people I’m a therapist, I sometimes hear back, “Aren’t you just sitting and listening to people talk all day?” If only it were that simple. While clients are talking, I’m tracking micro-expressions, noticing what they’re not saying, and carefully timing when to probe deeper versus when to simply witness their pain. I’m holding space for someone’s deepest fears about intimacy while simultaneously recognizing the attachment patterns playing out, identifying communication breakdowns they can’t see, and planning interventions that might help them connect in ways they never learned how.
Not physical but mental work
It’s not just mental work; it’s emotional labor that requires me to be fully present for whatever walks through that door. One hour I might be helping someone understand why they keep choosing emotionally unavailable partners, and the next I’m guiding a couple through the aftermath of an affair while they decide if their marriage can survive.
This safe space I create isn’t passive listening. This space is an active, skilled process that allows clients to finally be honest about their relationship patterns and unload all the hurt, fear, and hope they’ve been carrying alone.
This misconception doesn’t just minimize the expertise required; it overlooks the real transformation that happens when someone finally learns how to truly connect with the people they love.
How do you handle competition, and what sets your business apart from others in your field?
I really don’t see other therapists as competition. We’re all in this together, trying to help people heal and connect better. If I see a colleague doing something that’s working really well, I want to learn from them! I’m always curious about new approaches or techniques that might help my clients. There’s so much need out there that honestly, there’s room for all of us.
One thing that sets my business apart is that I specialize in relationships and sex therapy. My focus is on helping individuals and couples communicate better, deepen their intimacy, and work through emotional challenges together. I use what’s called emotion-focused therapy because I’ve seen that emotions really drive our behavior. When I can help couples understand what’s actually happening underneath all those heated arguments or shutdowns, that’s when things start to shift.
But here’s what I think really sets me apart: I’m comfortable talking about everything! This includes sex and intimacy. I have specialized training in sex therapy. That training has taught me how to approach these conversations in ways that are most helpful for clients. It takes skill knowing when to lean in, when to go slower, and how to normalize experiences that people often feel shame about.
Some therapists get uncomfortable when the conversation goes there, but those are often the conversations that matter for couples. What I love most is watching clients have those “aha” moments when they finally understand their own emotional patterns and how they’ve been aƯecting their relationships. That increased self-awareness changes everything. My clients don’t just
improve their romantic relationships, they get better at connecting with everyone in their lives, including themselves.
What is one lesson you’ve learned through your entrepreneurial journey that you think everyone should know?
As an entrepreneur, you can plan and prepare as thoroughly as possible, but no matter how ready you think you are, you’ll inevitably encounter challenges you never saw coming. The key is learning to give yourself grace and maintaining the flexibility to pivot when needed. Not succeeding in one aspect of your business doesn’t make you a failure, it makes you human. I’ve learned to reframe setbacks as learning and growth opportunities. When something doesn’t work out, ask yourself: What can this teach me? How can I use this experience to make better decisions moving forward? Just as important is your willingness to seek advice and help from others. Not every piece of guidance will be relevant to your situation but even learning what not to do has value.
The entrepreneurial journey can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. Remember: there are no true failures in entrepreneurship, only data points that inform your next pivot. Embrace the uncertainty, stay curious, and keep moving forward.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self before starting this journey?
Stop overthinking and start doing it! I spent way too much time waiting for the “perfect” moment and the “perfect” plan before taking action. Here is the truth: there is no perfect time, and there is no perfect way to begin.
The magic happens when you create a solid plan and then actually work that plan. Yes, you’ll need to adjust course along the way, sometimes dramatically, but that’s part of the process. The key is taking that first step with intention, not waiting until every detail is figured out.
You can’t iterate on something that doesn’t exist. You can’t learn from mistakes you haven’t made yet. And you definitely can’t succeed at something you never start. So, create your plan, take action, and be ready to adapt. But whatever you do, don’t let perfectionism paralyze you into inaction. Your future self will thank you for starting today, even if it’s imperfect.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be and why?
If my business had a theme song, it would be “Freedom” by Kygo & Zak Abel. It’s not just because of the title, though that’s pretty perfect. The song really captures what I see happening with my clients every day.
The name of my practice is Freely Therapy. I chose this name because it is how I wanted clients to navigate and work through their issues: Freely, without restraint or restriction, openly and honestly. This is the only way true healing and change can happen when people feel genuinely free to express what’s happening and how they’re feeling.
The song mirrors parts of the therapy process beautifully. Like the search for purpose in the song, many clients come to me feeling lost or stuck in patterns from their past. They’re searching for their own version of freedom from anxiety, self-doubt, or limiting beliefs that keep them trapped.
Through therapy, clients often discover that the freedom they’ve been seeking was within them all along. The redemption and self-discovery themes resonate with the work we do together. Clients who were once “lost in themselves” begin to find clarity through open, honest dialogue.
Just as the song speaks to being lifted up during diƯicult times, my role is to provide supportive presence when clients are struggling. The empowerment described in the song reflects what happens when people finally feel free to be authentic, speak their truth, and embrace who they truly are. In both the song and my work, freedom comes from genuine connection and honest expression.
How do you stay motivated and innovative in your business?
My clients are what keep me going every single day. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone have a breakthrough or watching a couple reconnect after feeling stuck for months or even years! Even when clients are struggling, their challenges motivate me to think outside the box and find new ways to help them. The beautiful thing is that while I’m supporting them, I’m constantly learning from them too. I make it a point to really listen, not just to what they’re saying, but to what they need. Through these genuine conversations, I discover gaps in traditional therapy approaches and get inspired to create something better.
For instance, I kept hearing from couples that they wanted something more hands-on and experiential than just sitting and talking each week. That sparked my idea for couple’s retreats, which I’m currently developing with plans to launch my first retreat next year. I’m so excited about creating these immersive experiences where couples can focus entirely on their relationship without outside distractions.
I also noticed that some couples either couldn’t commit to weekly sessions or had one specific issue they wanted to tackle intensively. That led me to develop therapeutic intensives, which are concentrated sessions where we can accomplish in a day or weekend what might take months in traditional weekly therapy. These are also something I’m currently implementing and will be available soon.
This constant feedback loop with my clients keeps me energized and ensures I’m always evolving my practice to meet real needs rather than just following trends.
Thank you for reading, “Professional Intimacy: How Therapist Myra Jackson Guides Clients to Deeper Connections and Balances a Business”, part of our mini-series. To read more amazing Q & A’s click here or check back next month.
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