Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Graham.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I hold a master’s degree in psychotherapy and counseling, a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and
education, and a certificate as a mindfulness mentor. I completed my master’s degree when my
oldest daughter, Kate, was one year old, and I was a stay-at-home mom for over 10 years. Before
graduate school, I served for a year with AmeriCorps in Iowa, taught as a language arts teacher
and worked in after-school programs, and then worked as a mental health practitioner for
children and families. Through my close connections with the thoughts, struggles, and
dreams of children and their families, one thing became abundantly clear: mental health,
self-esteem, and how a child sees themselves in the world means everything.
In 2022, I founded my business, JNP Management LLC. It started with a blog about parenting and
wellness tips using my educational background and real-life experiences as a mother. Now I
share essential messages of encouragement using my knowledge, understanding, and passion for
children and adults through writing, a children’s book, speaking and events. In 2024 I founded
Jessica Graham Counseling and Coaching PLLC to offer mental health therapy and and in the future, coaching. I currently provide therapy for adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety or depression.
My story starts as a stay-at-home mom who, like many parents during
the pandemic, found myself feeling lost and overwhelmed. I wasn’t aware of how badly I’d
neglected taking care of myself until I hit a breaking point. That’s when I knew something
needed to change—and the change needed to come from me. The solution came in an
unexpectedly simple form: I started walking for an hour every day. Before then, I’d made the
excuse of being too busy. Instead, I made it a priority and found time to fit it into each day.
Slowly, I built a self-care morning routine that included meditation, journaling, and walking.
This daily practice opened up something unexpected in me: writing began to pour out. What
started as personal reflections transformed into something bigger as I posted them online, thanks
largely to the encouragement from my best friend, Patty. I began writing short blog pieces and
sent them to her. I’ll never forget her response: “Oh my goodness, this is amazing.”
During that summer of nonstop blog writing, I was drawn to read Buddhist monk and peace
activist Thich Nhat Hanh’s Teachings on Love. In it, he discusses the importance of loving and
knowing yourself first and then loving others. It was an a-ha moment, synthesizing what I’d
learned in the previous months when I’d finally prioritized taking care of myself so I could better
take care of my family. That led me to think of my children: Was I teaching them to build their
relationships by loving themselves? I started by asking my two older children, “How do you
show yourself love?” They responded by sharing how kind and loving they are to others—no
mention of themselves. At that moment, I realized I needed to teach them the power of self-love.
But how?
After brainstorming for a while, one night the ideas began to flow. I sat at my dining room table
at 9:30 p.m. and a message about teaching children the importance of loving themselves based
on what I’d learned about self-love and self-care poured out. That was the first draft of The Love
Inside. It’s the foundation I wish I’d had in my own childhood—understanding the importance of
honoring our needs and living from the heart. While many of us learn these lessons when we’re
ready, I wanted to create something that could help children start their journey sooner.
A bit more about the book process:
The draft of The Love Inside sat on my computer. I had no idea what to do with it. Yet the writing kept going. I kept writing about parenting, relationships, and my life experiences. I slowly began sharing my short essays with friends. My best friend, who works in marketing, said, “Hey, keep writing and let’s see what you have in a few months.” In a few months, I had about 30 short pieces.
My goal became to share my writing through a blog and social media. A few months later, on a four-hour car ride to a girls’ trip, my friend Patty pulled out a brand framework form. She helped me create my business, with the goal of “helping others.”
The blog launched in December 2022. The Love Inside was published in February 2025, which opened the door to school visits, podcasts, speaking events, and book readings. My next goal was to begin practicing as a therapist. I graduated with my master’s degree in clinical counseling in 2015 and then became a stay-at-home. After updating my knowledge and skills in the field and completing a certificate as a mindfulness mentor, I began practicing with therapy clients again.
My book and lessons it teaches:
My goal is to help others find the love inside of each of them. I wrote The Love Inside for
my children, all children, and the child within each of us to help us discover that we
already have the capacity for self-love. It encourages us to nurture acceptance and love
for ourselves, and then we can extend that love to others. Planting the powerful seeds of
self-love in every child could lead to greater peace and harmony in a world that
desperately needs it.
I have a second book in the works. The idea of this one is to help children observe their
inner dialogue and thoughts. It will teach them to challenge negative self-talk and
rumination and transform them with self-compassion to reframe thoughts to be more self-
accepting and kind.
The why behind my book and work I do:
I truly believe a more peaceful world could exist if every child learned to cultivate a profound
love for themselves. If they start by acting with kindness and compassion for themselves, those
skills will transfer to acting with kindness toward others.
What makes The Love Inside special is its dual impact: When parents read it with their children,
it serves as a gentle reminder for adults to nurture their own self-love practices, as well. Before
my own self-love journey, I simply went through the daily motions on auto-pilot, taking care of
others and forgetting to take loving care of myself, as well. Now I’ve discovered purpose and
passion in life, and my vision is to help others connect deeply with themselves and their needs.
The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that I’m helping others find a more purposeful
life. I hope to give this gift not only to my children but also to anyone who connects with the
message of my books.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has been a road with lots of turns. The learning curve has been huge! I didn’t know how to start a business, build a website, manage social media, or launch a therapy practice. I have surrounded myself with a team that helps me. I’ve had to immerse myself in learning how to do it all, allowing myself to make mistakes, and keep going.
I’d say the biggest challenges have been learning how to network and market, and attracting new clients. Sales and marketing have been a challenge for me, and learning how to sell my ideas, services, and book has forced me to get uncomfortable and grow.
The biggest challenges:
Balancing work/life/children
Understanding how to make my work schedule work with my children’s needs and schedules
Building a team that supports me in teaching how to grow a business, market, and do social media]
Learning how to work with a publisher and market a children’s book
Learning how to attract therapy clients
Taking time for self-care and creative time in my schedule.
Reaching out to schools to do book readings and visits
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I have two businesses: Jessica Graham Counseling and Coaching PLLC and JNP Management LLC
Jessica Graham Counseling PLLC- I am a private practice therapist working with teens and adults. I specialize in anxiety and depression. I am also a volunteer at the Walk-In Counseling Center in Minneapolis.
JNP Management LLC is where my blog, book, speaking engagements, coaching services, and events are.
MY BRAND:
Jessica Faith Graham, MA, is a mental health therapist, mindfulness mentor, writer, and mother of three. She believes that compassionate communication, genuine self-love, and faith in the good all around us can change the world.
Jessica leads with heart, backed by her master’s degree in counseling and psychotherapy and a certificate as a mindfulness mentor. As a writer, she focuses online on parenting, real-life truths, and encouragement, and her children’s book, The Love Inside, draws on her background in education and fine arts.
My logo: Love and hope for the real world.
My book The Love Inside is for sale online, on Amazon, or in local book stores. I offer individual counseling for adolescents and adults. I offer free school visits where I do a book reading, teach mindfulness techniques for children, positive affirmations, and an art project. I also offer speaking engagements, events, or teachings on mindfulness, parenting, coping skills for anxiety or depression, and resilience.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Apps: Insight Timer
Books: Teachings on Love, Thich Nhat Hanh; Radical Compassion, Tara Brach; and 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD, Feeling Good by David Burns.
I enjoy the meditations and yoga by Kate Waitzkin in Austin TX
I walk outdoors daily, which greatly supports me.
Acupuncture at Azelea Acupuncture
I start each day with 30 minutes or more of quiet time, meditations, and journaling.
Pricing:
- The Love Inside $21.95
- Inquire for Therapy – insurance accepted or sliding fee scale
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicafaithgraham.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jessicafaithgraham
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jessica-graham-m-a-b39a141
