Her Story
About Cheryl
Born and raised in Tunica, Mississippi, Cheryl Jackson-Carpenter discovered her passion for understanding human behavior and helping others while attending Rosa Fort High School (Tunica, Mississippi). Encouraged by a Guidance Counselor to pursue Psychology, she followed that calling to Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi), where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. During her time there, she became a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar, published research, and earned membership in several prestigious honor societies, including Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology. Determined to continue expanding her knowledge and impact, she later earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), graduating Summa Cum Laude while actively participating in counseling leadership organizations. Today, Cheryl is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor who has built a career centered on empathy, advocacy, and transformational care. Through her work with CuraLinc Healthcare, she provides mental health coaching and care advocacy services that support millions of individuals worldwide through employer-sponsored mental health programs. Her work includes guiding clients through emotional fitness, mindfulness, stress management, relationship challenges, trauma recovery, and life transitions while ensuring individuals receive the appropriate level of care and support. Cheryl is passionate about helping people reframe their thinking, navigate adversity, and regain confidence in their ability to move forward. Throughout her professional journey, Cheryl has remained deeply committed to community advocacy and service. She has worked across healthcare, telehealth, private practice, crisis support, and social services settings, helping clients from diverse backgrounds navigate mental health challenges, trauma, domestic abuse, and personal growth. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as a Mental Health Advisor with NOTHING BUT ADVICE, INC., where she provides immediate virtual support and guidance to individuals in need. She also volunteers as a Domestic Violence Advocate with Help Now of Osceola, Inc., reflecting her lifelong dedication to empowering vulnerable populations. Recognized for both her professional excellence and community impact, Cheryl was honored as an Influential Woman for the State of Florida by Influential Women in 2026. Whether coaching clients through uncertainty or advocating for mental health awareness, Cheryl believes every day presents an opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation. Guided by compassion and curiosity about the human mind, she continues to inspire others to rewrite their narratives and courageously pursue their fullest potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cheryl
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to inspiring change. When I first interact with someone, there is such a cloud over how they perceive things - the world, themselves holistically. Once I start interacting with them, acknowledging the free will that they have to change their perception, not only within themself but the world that they walk in day to day, makes me so proud of what I do as a professional. I have the capacity to impact so many people, and even myself. I have to give myself a pat on the back every day. Sometimes one may wake up feeling defeated before the day starts, but that does not imply that it is going to be like that every day. I love seeing the transformation of when a person started versus where they are to date - what a huge transformation! Watching a person change the narrative from 'I do not think I can' to 'I am confident that I can get it done' takes some homework, a resilient mental framework, and a lot of self-intervention to discover one's true potential. But who said it was going to be easy? One has to work for it. When I see that change in others, it is so fulfilling and makes my profession so rewarding. I read a quote that stated, "GOD gave you a fingerprint that no one else has, so you can leave an imprint that no one else can." May the imprints that I place in the present create lasting impressions for many years to come.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell her to take a moment to live, take a moment to laugh, take a moment to love. Live, love, laugh as she is allowing herself to embrace the path before her as well as the journey ahead. A lot of times in life, one is presented with improv decision making. This life that we have does not come with a manual; it does not come with a how-to guide. Acknowledge that she is going to make some mistakes and errors along the way. Give herself some grace and compassion by acknowledging that it is okay to try again. It is okay to be imperfect, although the world desires one to be perfect. But it' is okay to be imperfect. When she finds herself being criticized, being ridiculed, remember that the greatest critic is the one who is staring back at her in the mirror. Challenge that person by acknowledging her self-worth with this person, set the tone and pace for herself, and determine how she wants to navigate the path moving forward. Each day provides a new chapter for one's life to write. Ask herself what she will write today?
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As a Mental Health Professional, I think the biggest challenge within my field as a Licensed Clinician is that there is not enough advocacy regarding merit and acknowledgement in the field. Mental Health Counseling is a rewarding profession that offers extensive experience. Pay should not be the primary factor when one chooses this profession. However, it is a necessity. I think there's not enough advocacy from peers and colleagues that we support, to whom we may refer due to higher levels of care. I think as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, the merit conversations tend to miss the mark, considering all the hard work that we put into this profession. I think it is dismissed quite a bit in private and public settings. I am just happy that Licensed Mental Health Counselors are self-advocating, exploring outlets, and collaborating on a state and federal level to discuss this topic more in-depth with transparency.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Self-care is most important to me. Considering that I provide service to 22 million people randomly, and as a Mental Health Coach, I can say I am an extreme empath. When I get a client, I want to know who, what, when, where, and why. I encourage clients to tell me their strengths, tell me their weaknesses, tell me their successes, and tell me their challenges. And I dig and I dive in and I lock in. But I notice when I do that, my empathy heightens, and I tend to miss the mark on taking care of Cheryl at times. I have to allow myself to take a step back and remind myself that my clients are okay. I am grateful for the people that I serve, and the people that choose me to guide them, so I am always thinking of that subconsciously. It has been a work in progress, allowing myself to unplug so I can engage in the things that I want. I have spa days to unwind, and I allow myself to go out for long walks in which I just keep going until I dump and decompress everything. I enjoy long nature walks while listening to the birds in the trees, watching the water in the lake, and feeling the breeze for the day. These activities provide me with the opportunity to exhale and breathe, because as an empath, I do not get a chance to catch the breath that I need, because I am taking in so much from others. I have to allow myself to release by engaging in self-care activities and giving myself a little bit more grace and compassion.
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