Meet Dr. Justin K. Dodson of Navigating Courage Counseling & Consultation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Justin K. Dodson.

Hi Dr. Dodson, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I am born and raised in Memphis, TN. I grew up with my mother, father, and older brother until my father passed a day before my 10th birthday. Life definitely changed at that point as I found myself stepping into what I later realized was a role no child should assume, an adult.

I was active in school; student council, beta club, choir, you name it. These activities gave me structure and allowed me to escape from the idea of sports that didn’t connect with me at all. Surprisingly, I wanted to be a lawyer all of my life through high school, so much that I was a part of a mock trial team. Once I went to college, I immediately majored in Psychology and knew that I would become a therapist.

Somehow I knew that was my calling, even at the age of 17. It didn’t hurt that I was never good at math and working with my hands was out of the question. My ‘ace’ in my deck of cards was my ability to hear people, really see them, and my personality.

I attended The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga then attended Lipscomb University in Nashville where I became the first Black male to obtain a Masters of Science in Professional Counseling. After graduate school, I started working with adolescent sex offenders, also known as youth with problematic sexual behavior. During this process toward earning hours for my license, I began working on my doctorate. Fast forward, I became the first Black male to obtain a Ph.D. in Counseling Education & Supervision from The University of Memphis.

I worked as an Assistant Director for a non-profit for 2 years and I realized, there weren’t enough days off in my PTO for the job to make sense to me anymore. The job no longer aligned with what I believed in. I realized that I chased success in the form of a title because I thought that was the version of success for me. I recognized through this process that my definition of success had changed. Now I am aware of where I would best be utilized in the world. After many conversations, encouragement, and listening, I joined ‘The Great Resignation’ in December 2021 expanding my private practice to full time.

I began Navigating Courage Counseling & Consultation, LLC in August 2020 seeing clients part-time. Now my practice is a full time where I see adult males, in-person & telehealth private pay in the State of Tennessee. Through the years, I have allowed my gifts as, a speaker, adjunct instructor, coach, and author as my contribution to the world. Adult males deserve a safe space to heal, and that is what I offer.

I am a therapist because that is what I’m supposed to be. My life experiences combined with education and purpose bring me to this point. I love the work I get to do with my clients and am so excited about what life looks like from here.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, the most difficult part of starting a business has been the stories I convinced myself were true. “I need the stability of an organization, what If it fails, I don’t know where to start”. Battling my own fear has been the struggle.

Once I paid attention to the disconnect I had with my job, had great counsel from my tribe, I took the leap and it feels like freedom. I also recognize that this is the first time in life that I don’t know what the next days will look like, and I am okay with that because I know I am where I am supposed to be.

Other difficulties have been learning my boundaries as a therapist and business owner because they can be quite different. Being happy where I am has been the best part of this journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of Navigating Courage Counseling & Consultation, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I use an integrated approach including, person-centered, existential, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to manage my client’s needs. One approach isn’t for everyone. My private practice seeks to allow adult men to feel safe and seen. I am also a speaker and consultant.

The goal is to reach as many lives as I can with what I have. The misconception is that therapists have all the answers, we don’t. What we can do is hold space for you, allow you to be an expert on your own life, and join you in the journey by offering what we do have. Some of the presenting issues I see are males with relational issues, sex/porn addiction, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, adjusting to everyday life.

What sets me apart from other clinicians is that don’t bill insurance. Many males want therapy but do it in a discrete way so am a private pay entity. I enjoy using humor in therapy. I don’t believe therapy should be restricted or uptight. Let’s cuss together! I have done work in addressing life as it has come, and I know this is my purpose.

I am most proud of simply being here. I want readers to know that males don’t always have it easy. Being human is for everyone. I offer professional coaching, individual therapy, consulting, & speaking engagements.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Managing my own anxiety, learning how to love myself, and honoring my feelings.

Pricing:

• Individual Therapy- $120 per session
• Coaching- $120 per-session
• Speaking- Upon Request
• Panel Discussion- Upon request

Contact Info:

• Email: navigatingcourage@gmail.com
• Website: navigatingcouragecac.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/itsdrjkeith
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/itsdrjkeith

Image Credits
@kirstinlcheers