Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaime Goad.
Hi Jaime, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Bella Vida Counseling grew out of years spent listening, learning, and slowly realizing I wanted to do this work differently. I spent nearly twenty years in education, including fourteen years as a classroom teacher, and even early on I noticed something consistent—students naturally came to me when they were struggling emotionally. I loved building relationships with them, but I often felt limited in how deeply I could help. That curiosity about the why behind emotional and behavioral struggles is what first drew me toward counseling.
As my career evolved, I pursued special education certification and later earned a master’s degree in counseling, deepening my understanding of neurodiversity, trauma, and the ways life experiences shape how people see themselves and the world. I realized I was most fulfilled when I had the space to slow down, truly listen, and honor each person’s story—something that isn’t always possible in fast-paced or surface-level environments.
Opening Bella Vida Counseling allowed me to create the kind of practice I had always envisioned—one rooted in compassion, depth, and a whole-person approach. My work is shaped not only by professional training, but also by lived experience. Like many of the clients I serve, I’ve navigated seasons of stress, transition, and growth, which reinforced my belief that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs, but about understanding yourself with more clarity, kindness, and intention.
The name Bella Vida, meaning “beautiful life,” reflects this philosophy. I believe life can be challenging and still meaningful. Through Bella Vida Counseling, I strive to create a space where people—especially helpers, caregivers, and those who feel overwhelmed—can slow down, feel understood, and reconnect with their strengths. Today, my work centers on helping clients move beyond survival mode and toward lives that feel more grounded, intentional, and aligned with what matters most to them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many small business owners, the biggest challenge has been learning how to build something meaningful while also navigating uncertainty. Transitioning from a long career in education into private practice required taking risks, trusting myself, and stepping into unfamiliar territory without a clear roadmap.
Professionally, one of the challenges was unlearning the pace and structure of systems that prioritize efficiency over depth. I had to give myself permission to slow down, build intentionally, and trust that meaningful work doesn’t have to look rushed or formulaic. Creating a practice that reflects my values—rather than fitting into a one-size-fits-all model—took time, patience, and plenty of trial and error.
On a personal level, balancing the demands of work, family, and my own well-being has been an ongoing lesson. Like many helpers, I’m wired to give, and I’ve had to learn that sustainability requires boundaries and self-awareness. There were moments of doubt, fatigue, and questioning whether I was doing “enough,” but those seasons ultimately shaped the way I now support my clients.
Looking back, the challenges weren’t detours—they were part of the formation. They clarified my purpose, strengthened my resilience, and reinforced my belief that growth often comes through discomfort. Those experiences are now woven into the heart of Bella Vida Counseling and the way I walk alongside others as they navigate their own paths.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the core of my work is a deep love for people. I’ve always been known for having a big heart, and that showed up early in my career—especially during my years working in special education, where I genuinely looked forward to going to work because of the relationships I built with my students. Even my name, Jaime, comes from the French word meaning “I love,” and in many ways that has always felt fitting. Loving people well has been a consistent thread throughout my professional life.
Today, as the founder of Bella Vida Counseling, I specialize in working with individuals who feel overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from themselves—often helpers, caregivers, and neurodivergent adults who give a lot to others but struggle to give themselves the same care. I’m known for creating a space where clients can be real, honest, and unfiltered, without fear of judgment. My approach is relational, person-centered, and holistic, helping clients understand how their experiences, beliefs, culture, and values have shaped who they are and how they move through the world.
What I’m most proud of is taking the leap into private practice. It required faith, courage, and trust—trust in the gifts I’ve been given and in the idea that when something is placed on your heart, it’s meant to be used with intention. While I don’t advertise Christian counseling, faith is an important part of my life and naturally informs my work. I incorporate spiritual perspectives when clients want that, while always remaining respectful, inclusive, and culturally competent. My goal is never to impose belief, but to support each person in discovering their own worth, purpose, and sense of meaning.
What sets me apart is both how I work and who I am. I bring authenticity into the room—I believe therapy can be deep and sacred and real. I don’t sugarcoat hard truths, and I believe growth requires both compassion and action. I also bring a strong appreciation for culture and diversity. Having been born in Ohio, raised in El Paso, and later settling in Fort Worth, I naturally connect with clients from a wide range of backgrounds. I value learning how culture, heritage, and lived experience influence a person’s identity, and I see that as an essential part of meaningful healing.
At the heart of Bella Vida Counseling is a simple mission: to help people create a beautiful life for themselves—one rooted in self-acceptance, purpose, and hope. I believe people are far more capable than they realize, and it’s a privilege to walk alongside them as they begin to see that for themselves.
What makes you happy?
Happiness for me is pretty simple. It’s time with people I love, meaningful conversations, and work that actually matters. I love moments where life slows down—whether that’s a quiet morning, a good laugh, or sitting with someone who finally feels seen and understood.
I’ve learned that happiness isn’t about having a perfect life, but about living one that feels aligned. When my faith, relationships, and work are in balance, I feel grounded—and that’s when life feels most beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bellavidacounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellavidacounseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bella-Vida-Counseling/61563744693897/
