WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN
Moving toward courage, hEaling, and joy A thought provoking adage states, “Those who think they can and those who think they can’t... are both right.” Jessica Wilkerson has parlayed those first five words into believing she can attain anything. As a result, she is delighted to introduce Inspired Life Counseling, a boutique therapy practice providing healing and counseling services to help individuals, couples, and adolescents move through tough situations. Jessica grew up in Redding and graduated from Enterprise High School, a place she felt “had a great climate and happy staff.” Soon after graduation, she found herself in a challenging time, faced with an infant and a failing marriage. She kept her thoughts together, focused on what she could do, and enrolled in Simpson College to earn a bachelor’s degree in business. College demonstrated that a degree would allow her to do whatever she wanted. Upon graduation, she found a job in commercial lending at North Valley Bank. She had been enamored by the business classes she took in college and was delighted to put it to use. Originally, Jessica wanted to be a teacher but was afraid it would be tough to balance a classroom and home. Jessica decided to get a master’s degree in psychology, figuring it would either open doors or change her direction. That whole ‘those
who think they can’ thing came calling once again. In fact, one week from submitting her master’s thesis, the bank, due to the real estate bubble bursting, served her with a layoff notice. She found a job at a nonprofit, the Child Abuse Coordinating Council of Shasta County and served as an AmeriCorps volunteer. For three years, Jessica served both the nonprofit and the community to ensure large strides were taken in order to strengthen families and prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect. She most enjoyed teaching parents how to parent. With the master's degree in hand, and the sum total of her life lessons behind her, Jessica took a job at Chico Creek Counseling. It took less than five-andone-half years for her to make the move and start her own business in 2019, using her training in attachment and brain development. Her confidence level was high, as she understood many therapists don’t succeed due to the general lack of the all important “business acumen.” She was asked by a Camp Fire lawyer to help his clients as Jessica had been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a psychotherapy enabling people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress due to a disturbing life experience. She believes that a business
background, and training like EDMR, allow her to relate to these and every client from teens to folks with considerable financial wealth. This became the birth of Inspired Life Counseling, owned by Jessica Wilkerson, LMFT. The way Jessica got to this point is both remarkable and telling. The business has been in a "convenient and beautiful location" since September, with three additional counselors and the recent addition of a front office employee. All three therapists, under Jessica’s umbrella, are also trained in EMDR. Jessica emphasizes that at Inspired Life Counseling, the therapist’s mindframe is “human first; therapist second,” ensuring the therapist brings their real self to the session. Jessica has faith in the notion that when two humans are talking, it is important one has the tools and confidence to shine a light on patterns and help a client who feels lost see the forest for the trees. Overall, Inspired Life Counseling reveals itself as quiet, safe, and confidential. Jessica points out ,“The therapists, themselves, are moving toward courage, healing, and joy.” In the end, those who think they can are definitely right. Visit their website, inspiredlifechico.com and read an encouraging piece from each therapist. To contact Inspired Life Counseling, call (530) 230-9086. 43
