Today we’d like to introduce you to Janie Lacy.
Janie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was the first day of 5th grade, September 1988. My sisters and I shared a room and were suddenly woken up by loud banging at our front door. It was either that night or the next morning that we were told our sister Carmen was in the hospital. My parents kept to that story till we overheard our mother sharing with someone that when they arrived at Carmen’s apartment building she was being taken out in a body bag.
That day as a ten-year-old little girl my life would never be the same. There were so many feelings and unanswered questions. You see the culture that we grew up in was “children were seen and not heard”.
My family eventually appeared to just move on as if this huge trauma never occurred. I don’t remember my parents ever discussing or even addressing it with us but life moved on. You see everyone loved Carmen, she was always smiling and so friendly. Her friends told stories of her calling them or visiting them letting them know how much she appreciated them. Even giving one of them a rose the evening that she was murdered.
You see like many of us at some point in our lives, Carmen was wearing a mask. She was in an abusive relationship. We found out when she was murdered that she was actually on a restraining order from the man who strangled her with his bare hands in front of their children.
You see my program Woman Redeemed at Life Counseling Solutions was not found in wonderland. It was birthed from DEEP PAIN to a PURPOSEFUL 12 Week PROGRAM where Women can heal from toxic relationships with self and others.
Has it been a smooth road?
In the journey of entrepreneurship, there were hard lessons learned along the way. I worked harder and not smarter, repeating deep unconscious beliefs that I had to have the least and do what I need to do with very little. It was a dysfunctional belief that I was not worthy so I operated from a “lack” mentality. God has continuously reminded me along the way that I was more than enough and has provided at every step along the way. Therefore, my struggles came from a faulty belief system that I was not good enough and that I was undeserving. The challenge was I was in denial that I was even operating from that belief system.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
I am a nationally known psychotherapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. I am a respected television commentator and founder of Life Counseling Solutions in Maitland, Florida. I believe in enriching lives through my psychotherapy work and bringing credibility and expert knowledge to audiences via on-air appearances.
As a television commentator, I love to connect with viewers and I have been sought after for my psychological insights and practical advice on topics ranging from mental health disorders to relationship challenges. I have impacted audiences through various local and national radio, news, and television programs.
I am a popular professional speaker at national industry conferences and I can energize a room while hosting events. I have authored numerous articles in local and national outlets on sex & love addiction, anger management and relationship & sexual trauma.
My journey as a psychotherapist began when I worked as a counselor for a non-profit where the clients had various psychiatric challenges along with volunteering at an experiential camp for adolescents with behavioral challenges. In both clinical settings and private practice, I have treated all forms of mental illness, substance abuse, grieving, job stress, emotional disturbances, sexual abuse, social and parenting issues. I am passionate about helping people overcome a variety of life’s challenges.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and I hold a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University.
I am a faculty member with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals where I train professionals who are committed to specializing in the areas of addiction recovery and trauma. I was awarded the “2018 Enterprise Business of the Year” award by the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida.
I was also selected as one of Orlando Magazine’s “2019 Women of the Year” and was featured in its Spring 2019 issue and honored at the yearly awards ceremony. I also co-hosts a popular podcast called “Life Unscripted” which can be found on iHeart, iTunes, Spotify, and Spreaker.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
There are too many resources to help anyone starting in business such as mentorship, coaching, books, podcasts, etc. to help you acquire knowledge, tips, tricks, and processes so that you don’t have to make the same mistake as others.
Contact Info:
- Address: Life Counseling Solutions
670 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 103
Maitland, Florida 32751 - Website: www.LifeCounselingSolutions.com
- Phone: 407-622-1770
- Email: info@LifeCounselingSolutions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janielacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Janie-Lacy-345710389089/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanieLacy
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