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Meet Shanta Jackson and Tammarra Letbetter of Trinity Rising Counseling Center in Central Dallas

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanta Jackson and Tammarra Letbetter.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Shanta: I didn’t always know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be a helper. I had and continue to have a passion for seeing others be their best selves! It wasn’t until undergrad when I took a Psychology elective that I fell in love with this field! I changed my major from Criminal Justice to Psychology that semester, went on to graduate with my Bachelors from Texas Woman’s University and later received my Masters in Professional Counseling from Amberton University.

Through much work experience and education, I developed a dream for myself. I wanted to build a private practice that fosters a safe and non-judgmental environment that evokes change and instills hope. Prior to opening the private practice, I started blogging, and creating a personal brand, known as, The Homegirl Therapist. I wanted to and continue to want to position myself in the community as someone who can help, can be honest, but who you can also relate to like you’re friend or “homegirl”. And I transitioned that same idea as a therapist in my private practice.

Tammarra: Mental health and Substance Use Disorder are two very important issues that I am passionate about. I come from a family that struggled with both mental health and substance abuse.

I decided a long time ago I would help people and started my educational journey at Georgia Southern University. I had no idea what the process of becoming a mental health counselor would be but I knew I was ready. I graduated with my Masters in 2014. I was young and ready to take over the world. Well the world did not happen but I did discover something astonishing. Mental health assistance, awareness, advocacy, and treatment was lacking.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Shanta: Personally, the road was a bit rough, I am blessed that I was on this journey with my friend and business partner Tammy. But, I knew how to be a therapist, I did not know how to be a business woman. There were a lot of roles that we had to fill that we had no clue in how to do it. It was a lot of research, and utilizing our resources, and my amazing husband to get started. I worked hard to get to where I am, I work multiple jobs to make my dream a reality.

I think for the both of us the business side was the most difficult side, we had to be aware of our budget, of quality, and the vision that we had for the practice and make sure that what we had in our hearts came across in our practice. While the journey was tough, I think I learned so many lessons along the way and I look back and can say that I enjoyed it.

Tammarra: I very quickly decided to open my own practice and potentially my own community center in the future. The goal was just an idea that took years to develop and manifest over time. It was not easy opening up the practice but I enjoyed the journey.

I learned how to be a great counselor but I knew little about starting a business. It was a lot of factors I did not consider or had any idea how to navigate through. From filing the business name, to creating an entire website. I soon found myself fulfilling the roles of a web designer, accountant, designer, and many other roles that I was not accustomed to in order to open TRCC.

Trinity Rising Counseling Center – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Tammarra: Trinity Rising Counseling Center’s mission is to instill hope, facilitate growth, and provide quality individualized services to all clients we serve. One hope is to create a healthy, safe, and supportive environment for client’s success through individual, group, family, and couples therapy.

I specifically instill hope to those who have been affected by trauma and addiction. My passion for trauma therapy started when I saw my fellow military buddies struggling with PTSD. Their scars sometimes had no visible marks but were deep and painful. There was a sense of shame to come back home from combat and be affected by the war. I listened to their stories and empathized with the pain that they felt daily.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist on the therapeutic process. I am an EDMR trained counselor. I have several years of addiction experience and training. I am also a Prepare/Enrich certified facilitator for couples and marriage counseling. I am also a distance certified counselor who delivers Telehealth (video sessions) to individuals incapable of getting to a treatment site.

Shanta: Tammy described our business perfectly. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and I specialize in family and couple/marriage therapy. I enjoy working with families and couples, to help create and foster a foundation built on trust and communication. I am also a certified facilitator for the Prepare/Enrich assessment and session. I have years of experience working with individuals dealing with depression, and struggle with self-concept, self-worth, and self-esteem. I am also a certified counselor who delivers Telehealth services as well. I think for the both of us, we wanted to remove any barriers to treatment. I believe I am also known for my style in therapy, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, however I am also a realist therapist and solution focused. I consider myself to be one that will actively help you work towards designing the life that you want for yourself. I enjoy being on that journey with my clients.

I am so proud to be a founder and active counselor at TRCC. I am proud of our vision. I am proud of our space, we worked really hard to make it beautiful, comfortable, and relaxing. I am proud that we have made it accessible, to all, with a bus line nearby, with offering Telehealth services, as well as accepting a number of insurances and providing competitive rates to take away some of the financial impact that comes with attending counseling.

Honestly, there are tons of other private practices in the DFW Metroplex, with amazing therapist. I believe what sets us apart is that, there is only one Shanta and one Tammarra. We connect and relate a lot of our clients and we work hard at removing barriers. And we truly just enjoy what we do, and I think that can go a long way.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Shanta: I would have to say the proudest moment of my career so far, is opening the doors TRCC. I and standing around at the grand opening, with so much support and love from family, friends, and colleagues. I could not believe that I had did it. I accomplished it. I had a dream, I set a plan, and I did it. I would have to say that was the proudest moment for me outside of getting my counseling license.

Tammarra: I am proud to be a founder and counselor at TRCC. I know that being vulnerable is not easy and it takes courage to walk through the doors of therapy. We provide help without you feeling judged, ridiculed, mocked, or suppressed. TRCC attempts to remove all barriers to counseling, including financial issues because we believe in servicing those in need and THAT I am proud of.

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Image Credit:
Teidra Andale

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