Meet Mathew Jean of Beach Stone Counseling

Mathew, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I feel in love with psychology at Miami Central High School. I had a teacher named Henry Pacheco who taught Law Studies. We had to prepare for a mock trial, and I happened to randomly select the role of a psychiatrist. In the case notes, I came across the term “learned helplessness” or simply a person or animal that has accepted their hopeless situation as the norm.

After gaining more insight into the term, I started seeing this behavior everywhere. I knew then that I wanted to learn more about what made us do the things we do. After high school, I had some earlier failures at FAMU and was placed on academic suspension. Eventually, I completed an Associate of Arts Degree at TCC and left to Huntsville, Alabama to Oakwood University. I continued my studies in Psychology and added Theology.

In Huntsville, I had the opportunity to volunteer at elementary, middle and high schools. I interned at a juvenile center for males ages 12-18. I knew I wanted to have the most impact on young black males. All this experience led me to narrow down my area of interest for graduate school. A Masters degree in Family Therapy provided that opportunity.

After I graduated, I worked in the field for number of years. The impact that I wanted to make was not being had working for various agencies. So two years ago, I started Beach Stone Counseling where I specialize in Black Male issues, Entertainment & Sports Therapy.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road. I struggled at the start of college, I struggled with anger and believing in myself. I honestly felt that high school did not adequately prepare me for college. When I got to FAMU, I had anxiety and lacked the discipline to have any type of success. When I left Tallahassee for Oakwood, I thought that all of my problems were behind me.

It wasn’t until I went to therapy that I realize I was harboring a lot of anger and that I did not fully believe in myself. It was one of the best decisions I made. I learned the root of those issues and addressed them. Without therapy I wouldn’t be the man, husband, father and therapist that I am today.

Working independently in the field has not been easy. Mental health in context of the Black community is polarizing. I had to create value then create a space where Black males can feel comfortable addressing their issues. It’s still difficult to gain the trust of my clients. But I believe thw outcome is worth the journey that builds trust.