A thoughtful exploration of balancing ambition, motherhood, and personal growth. This article examines the hidden struggles behind success and advocates for allowing women space to be imperfect, vulnerable, and human while pursuing meaningful goals.
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Working in mental health taught me that the most valuable feedback comes from truly listening. What I think someone needs and what they actually need aren't always the same.
Jessica Weber · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Weber is a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of New Bearings Counseling & Wellness LLC. Her journey in mental health began in 2018 at a forensic inpatient psychiatric hospital in Missouri, where she developed a passion for understanding human behavior, advocating for vulnerable populations, and helping individuals recognize their potential for change.
While pursuing her education, Jessica continued building her clinical experience, ultimately earning her master's degree from Central Methodist University and obtaining her professional counseling license. Over the years, her work has included substance use treatment, forensic mental health, treatment planning, clinical coordination, and leadership within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Her experiences have shaped her belief that effective mental health care requires more than clinical knowledge. It requires empathy, accountability, collaboration, and a genuine willingness to understand the person behind the diagnosis.
Throughout her career, Jessica has been passionate about supporting both the individuals receiving treatment and the professionals providing it. She believes meaningful leadership is not defined by a title, but by the willingness to advocate for others, create opportunities for growth, and lead by example.
That same philosophy inspired her to establish New Bearings Counseling & Wellness LLC, where she hopes to expand access to compassionate, individualized mental health services. She is particularly interested in serving veterans, first responders, and individuals navigating trauma, emotional challenges, and major life transitions. She also hopes to collaborate with community organizations that recognize the connection between mental, physical, and social well-being.
As both a counselor and a mother, Jessica understands the importance of balancing ambition with purpose. She continues to approach her career with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to lifelong learning, believing that meaningful change often begins when someone feels genuinely seen, heard, and supported.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to perseverance, the people who have supported and challenged me, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. My career has not been a straight path, and I think some of my greatest growth has come from navigating challenges, being willing to learn from my mistakes, and continuing to show up even when things are difficult.
Working in mental health has taught me that success isn't always measured by titles, recognition, or accomplishments. Sometimes it's found in the smallest moments, helping someone recognize their potential, advocating for someone who doesn't feel heard, or supporting a colleague through a difficult day.
I also believe that surrounding yourself with people who encourage your growth, challenge your perspectives, and remind you of your purpose makes a tremendous difference. I've been fortunate to learn from people who have shaped both the clinician and the woman I am today.
Being a mother while pursuing my education and building my career has also given me a deeper appreciation for resilience, balance, and determination. I want my daughter to grow up knowing that she can pursue meaningful goals, advocate for herself and others, and create a life that reflects her values.
Ultimately, I believe my success comes from remaining curious, being willing to evolve, and remembering why I chose this profession in the first place. I don't have all the answers, and I don't believe I ever will. But I am committed to continuing to learn, grow, and make a positive impact wherever I can.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the most meaningful advice I've carried throughout my career is to never stop learning and to remember that leadership isn't defined by a title.
I've learned that you don't have to be the most experienced person in the room to make a meaningful contribution. You do, however, have to be willing to listen, ask questions, acknowledge what you don't know, and continue developing both personally and professionally.
In a field as complex as mental health, I believe it's important to remain humble enough to recognize that there is always something more to learn, whether that's from a colleague, a supervisor, or the individuals we serve.
I've also learned that advocating for what you believe in isn't always comfortable, but maintaining your integrity and remaining grounded in your values matters far more than simply having a position of authority.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never lose sight of why you entered this field, but just as importantly, never lose yourself while trying to help others. Working in mental health can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. You can be compassionate, dedicated, and passionate about helping people while still recognizing that your own well-being matters, too.
Stay curious, ask questions, and never feel like you have to know everything. Some of the greatest lessons you'll learn won't come from a textbook, but from the people you work alongside and the individuals you're privileged to serve. Find mentors who encourage you, surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow, and don't be afraid to use your voice, even when you're the youngest or least experienced person in the room.
Give yourself permission to make mistakes, change direction, and grow into the professional you want to become. Confidence doesn't come from having all the answers; it comes from being willing to learn, reflect, and keep showing up.
And perhaps most importantly, don't let a difficult season, a challenging workplace, or someone else's perception of your abilities make you question your purpose. There are so many ways to make a difference in this field, and finding where you belong is part of the journey.
You don't have to sacrifice yourself to make a meaningful impact. Take care of yourself, celebrate the small victories, and remember that the compassion you extend to others is something you deserve as well.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the greatest challenges in mental health right now is finding ways to meet the growing need for services while also taking care of the people providing them. There are so many dedicated professionals in this field who genuinely want to make a difference, but the emotional demands, administrative responsibilities, and limitations within our systems can make it difficult to maintain that passion over time.
I've seen firsthand how challenging this work can be, but I've also seen the incredible things that happen when people feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their jobs well. I believe we have an opportunity to create healthier environments for both the individuals receiving care and the professionals providing it.
Another exciting opportunity is the growing recognition that mental health doesn't exist in isolation. Our emotional well-being is connected to our physical health, relationships, environment, and sense of community. I would love to see continued collaboration between mental health professionals, healthcare providers, community organizations, and wellness programs to create more accessible and individualized approaches to care.
I'm particularly passionate about expanding support for veterans, first responders, and individuals who may face barriers to seeking treatment. I think there is tremendous potential in building connections within our communities, reducing stigma, and creating spaces where asking for help is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
While our field certainly has challenges, I believe it also has an incredible opportunity for growth. We don't have to have all the answers or change an entire system overnight to make a difference. Sometimes meaningful progress begins with listening to one another, being willing to think differently, and taking small steps toward doing things better.
That's what excites me most about the future of mental health care: the opportunity to keep learning, collaborating, and finding new ways to help people feel supported, connected, and hopeful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that mean the most to me are integrity, compassion, accountability, authenticity, and the importance of family and meaningful relationships. I believe these values go hand in hand, both in the work I do and in the person I strive to be.
Integrity is especially important to me. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it isn't necessarily the easiest or most popular choice. That means being willing to have difficult conversations, advocate for others, acknowledge my own mistakes, and remain accountable for my actions. I've learned that you can stand firm in what you believe while still being respectful, open-minded, and willing to understand another perspective.
Compassion is at the heart of why I entered the mental health field. I believe everyone has a story worth understanding, and that people deserve to be treated with dignity, regardless of their circumstances, struggles, or past decisions. I try to approach both my professional and personal relationships with empathy, curiosity, and the understanding that we rarely know everything someone else may be carrying.
I also place tremendous value on authenticity and personal growth. I don't believe we have to have everything figured out to be successful or make a difference. I think there's strength in acknowledging our imperfections, asking for help, and being willing to grow. I want to be someone who practices what I encourage in others, even when that means stepping outside my comfort zone.
Above all, family and meaningful relationships keep me grounded. Being a mother has shaped the way I view success, leadership, and the example I want to set. I want my daughter to grow up knowing the importance of kindness, confidence, independence, and standing up for herself and others. I also want her to understand that pursuing your goals and taking care of yourself are equally important.
Ultimately, I hope the way I live and work reflects the same values I encourage in the people around me: lead with compassion, act with integrity, remain open to growth, and never underestimate the impact of simply treating people well.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Jessica
You Can Be Proud of How Far You've Come and Still Be Figuring It Out
Finding Balance and Authenticity in a Life of Multiple Roles
There is an interesting pressure that comes with being a woman who wants to do well in every area of her life. We want to be present mothers, supportive partners, dependable friends, compassionate professionals, and, somewhere in the middle of all that, find enough time and energy to take care of ourselves. And if we're being realistic, some days we do a pretty good job. Other days, we're just trying to make it to bedtime with everyone fed, loved, and relatively happy. I think we need to talk about both.
The Parts of Success We Don't Always See
When we look at successful women, we often see the accomplishments: the degrees, promotions, businesses, families, and milestones. What we don't always see are the late nights, the doubts, the sacrifices, or the moments when those same women questioned whether they were doing enough. As a mother and a mental health professional, I've experienced how difficult it can be to balance caring deeply about your work while also wanting to give your family the very best of yourself. There have been seasons when I've felt confident in my direction and others when I've questioned what comes next. I've had opportunities to grow, moments that challenged me, and experiences that reminded me how much I still have to learn. I'm proud of what I've accomplished, but I also know that my accomplishments don't tell the whole story. And I think that's important to acknowledge.
You Can Love What You Do and Still Find It Hard
Working in mental health has been one of the most meaningful parts of my life. It has also taught me that doing work you believe in doesn't mean the work will always be easy. There are difficult conversations, emotionally exhausting days, and situations where there isn't a simple answer. I've learned that compassion is important, but so are boundaries. That being dependable doesn't mean being endlessly available. And that caring for other people shouldn't require consistently neglecting yourself. Interestingly, those lessons aren't always easy to apply to my own life. I can encourage someone else to recognize their progress, give themselves grace, or set a healthy boundary, and then catch myself struggling to do those same things.
It's a reminder that knowing something and practicing it are two very different things.
Motherhood Has Changed My Definition of Success
Becoming a mother has influenced how I view almost everything, including my career.
I want my daughter to grow up knowing that women can be ambitious, compassionate, independent, and capable of accomplishing incredible things.
But I also want her to understand that she doesn't have to earn her worth through achievements. I want her to see a mother who works hard and pursues meaningful goals, but also one who can admit when she's wrong, apologize when necessary, ask for help, and recognize when something needs to change. Because the example I set isn't just about what I accomplish. It's about how I treat people, how I respond to challenges, and how I treat myself along the way. And while I certainly don't get all of those things right every day, I hope she sees that growth matters more than perfection.
Growth Sometimes Means Changing Direction
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that growth doesn't always look like moving forward in the way we originally planned. Sometimes it means recognizing that something you've worked hard for no longer fits the person you're becoming. Sometimes it means taking a chance on something new, even when you don't have every detail figured out. And sometimes it means slowing down long enough to ask yourself whether the life you're building is actually one you enjoy living.
As I begin building my own counseling practice, New Bearings Counseling & Wellness, I'm reminded of what it feels like to be both excited and uncertain. There's a lot I still have to learn about business ownership. I don't have every answer, and I don't expect to. But I do know what matters to me: meaningful relationships, genuine connection, continued learning, and creating a space where people feel heard and supported. I hope those values remain at the center of whatever I build.
We Need More Room for Women to Be Human
I think women are often encouraged to be strong, resilient, hardworking, and selfless.
And while those qualities can be wonderful, I hope we also make room for women to be tired, uncertain, vulnerable, and imperfect. We can celebrate ambition without glorifying exhaustion. We can encourage independence while reminding one another that asking for help is healthy. We can be proud of our accomplishments without comparing them to someone else's timeline. And perhaps most importantly, we can support other women without pretending we've figured everything out ourselves.
I don't believe being influential requires having the biggest platform, the most impressive title, or the perfect story. Sometimes influence happens in everyday moments. It's the coworker who makes someone feel valued. The mother who teaches her daughter to believe in herself. The friend who shows up when life gets difficult. The professional who takes the time to listen instead of assuming she already knows the answer. Those moments may never make a résumé, but they matter.
Still Learning, Still Growing
If there's one thing I hope other women take from my story, it's that you can be genuinely proud of the life you're building while acknowledging that you're still figuring parts of it out. You don't have to minimize your accomplishments to remain humble.
You don't have to have everything together to be someone others can learn from.
And you don't have to wait until you've reached some imaginary finish line to recognize how far you've come. I'm still learning how to balance my roles, protect my time, pursue my goals, and give myself the same understanding I try to extend to others. Some days I do that better than others. But I think that's part of what makes the journey meaningful. You can be proud of who you are today while still making room for the woman you're becoming.
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