Meet the Team

Hi, I’m Jasmine Jackson

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Counseling in 2021, followed by my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University in 2023. I am currently a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Counseling Psychology, where I continue to deepen my understanding of human behavior, relationships, emotional wellness, and the healing process.

Throughout my clinical training and professional experience, I have had the privilege of working with individuals, couples, and families across a variety of settings, including private practice, schools, and hospital based environments. My clinical work has supported clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, life transitions, severe mental illness, and challenges related to self-worth and emotional expression.

Alongside my clinical work, I serve as an Adjunct Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where I teach undergraduate students about counseling, psychology, and human relationships. I am also actively involved in research focused on relationships, attachment, love, and emotional well being. If you would like to learn more about my research, I invite you to visit the Research section.

I currently provide behavioral health services within a hospital setting, working collaboratively with medical teams to support individuals experiencing psychological distress, trauma, adjustment difficulties, and other mental health concerns during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. These experiences continue to strengthen my belief that healing begins when people feel truly seen, heard, and understood.

In addition to my academic and clinical training, I completed a certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy, Activities, and Learning in Animals and Human Health at the University of Denver. I am also currently pursuing certification as a Canine Intervention Specialist (CAIS), reflecting my interest in the therapeutic role of human animal connection and alternative pathways to emotional healing and regulation.

I also had the opportunity to design curriculum and provide training for early-stage clinicians at a mental health startup company for two years. In this role, I developed practical and insight-driven tools to support the growth and development of emerging therapists. This experience deepened my passion for clinical education and strengthened my commitment to creating thoughtful, structured, and supportive learning environments for trainees.

Long before I became a therapist, professor, researcher, and doctoral student, I was often told I was “too emotional,” “too sensitive,” or “too nice.” Like many people, I learned early on to question whether my emotional depth was something to be managed or minimized. Over time, I began to understand something different that emotions are not weaknesses, but meaningful signals that connect us to ourselves and to one another.

That realization became the foundation of Feelings First Counseling.

At the heart of my work is the belief that behind every diagnosis, behavior, relationship struggle, and life challenge is a human being trying to make sense of their emotional experience. Sometimes emotions are clear, and other times they feel overwhelming, complex, or difficult to name. In therapy, I create a space where these experiences can be explored with curiosity, compassion, and without judgment.

My practice is designed for individuals and couples who may be navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, relational or generational wounds, life transitions, or who simply desire a supportive space to better understand themselves. I strive to create an environment where clients feel safe bringing their full emotional experience into the therapeutic process.

Therapy is not about fixing what is broken. It is about understanding yourself more deeply, honoring your experiences, and creating space for healing and growth. I would be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.