Mental Health Champions: Why & How Dr Justin Dodson Of Navigating Courage Counseling & Consultation Is Helping To Champion Mental Wellness
An Interview With Eden Gold
I rest. Although I work a lot, I don’t drink heavily, or stay out very late. I take small naps when I can, and don’t do things that I know will make me feel unsettled. Challenged and unsettled are different to me. New clients and speaking engagements challenge me; being in clubs, heavy drinking, being in settings that don’t challenge me but make me feel unsettled I stay away from.
We had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Justin Keith Dodson.
Justin Keith Dodson, Ph.D., LPC, creates safe and supportive environments where individuals can be seen, heard, and catapulted into a redefined future. As the visionary behind Navigating Courage, Counseling & Consultation, LLC, Dodson and his team of mental health professionals, specifically focusing on adult males, prioritize the cognitive and emotional well-being of adult men through personalized coaching and therapy.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in Memphis, TN with my mother and father who was a social worker before his death. I was typically a nerdy kid, participating in extracurriculars like Beta Club and student council. I was quite quiet as a kid so being a therapist today is a shocker.
You are currently leading an initiative that is helping to promote mental wellness. Can you tell us a bit more specifically about what you are trying to address?
I am passionate about helping adult men embrace their full selves, gain control over their lives, and effectively manage their emotions. My journey in mental health began with adolescent young men who were receiving treatment away from their home environments. It was the most fulfilling job I ever had, as it showed me the profound impact of providing safe spaces for young men. I realized that my passion for working with adult men stems from the observation that, as we age, society often grants us less permission to express our humanity.
Through my work, I strive to challenge this misconception. In every clinical session, I aim to help men develop healthy relationships with their thoughts, partners, children, and others around them. My goal is to empower men to build the foundations they need to achieve their desired lives and apply these skills in their daily interactions. As a group practice business owner, I hope that my team creates an environment where clients feel at ease and supported, knowing they are in a safe and understanding space.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
My inspiration for creating such safe spaces stems from personal experiences: losing my father, having a mother who had to play the role of both parents, and often feeling excluded as a child.
I discovered that I have a natural talent for listening to people, sharing space with them, and maintaining emotional boundaries without absorbing their issues. This ability, combined with my personal experiences of being bullied, dealing with grief, and often feeling unsure of myself, underscored the importance of safe spaces. As an entrepreneur, I am now able to create the very thing that was missing for me — a supportive and understanding environment where people can truly feel heard and secure.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
My “Aha moment” came when I was working in what I thought was my dream job. I had the title, managed a team, and had achieved what I once considered success. But over time, I realized that my role no longer made sense to me. Up until then, I believed success meant earning a degree and landing a well-paying job. I studied psychology, earned my master’s degree, and took any job that allowed me to help people. However, these roles had significant limitations and often felt temporary.
The real trigger came when some inspiring women in my life challenged my definition of success. Motivated by their perspective, I started to re-evaluate my goals. I took time to fast, pray, and seriously consider what success meant to me. I decided to redefine success and pursue my passion as a mental health entrepreneur. I quickly realized that while school had prepared me in many ways, it hadn’t taught me how to be a business owner. So, I began filling those gaps and taking steps each day to make my vision a reality.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of the most interesting experiences since I began leading my company happened on my very first day of full-time entrepreneurship. I went from being surrounded by over 100 people daily to having maybe two sessions a day, spaced five hours apart. The transition was stark and the loneliness was palpable. Suddenly, I had all this free time that didn’t feel free at all because I had to build everything from scratch — resources and answers that had always been readily available when I worked within an organization. It was a powerful lesson in the realities of entrepreneurship and the immense effort required to create something truly your own.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
As a Black male therapist, I didn’t see many people who looked like me in the field, and my attempts to build relationships with other men often felt unwelcoming. My mentorship journey began with Black women who provided invaluable support and guidance. One significant mentor was Erica Mayo, whom I met in graduate school. Along with other women who supported me before I started my practice, Erica challenged my beliefs and encouraged me to aim higher.
These women played a crucial role in my development and helped me envision greater possibilities for myself. More recently, within the past two years, I found an incredible mentor who has been instrumental in my growth. His guidance and support have been invaluable, and I’m grateful for the influence of all my mentors and cheerleaders along the way.
According to Mental Health America’s report, over 44 million Americans have a mental health condition. Yet there’s still a stigma about mental illness. Can you share a few reasons you think this is so?
I believe the stigma surrounding mental health persists because people often glamorize it without being realistic about the therapeutic process and other resources. Many view therapy as a quick fix rather than understanding it as a daily journey of internal work. While it’s encouraging to see public figures speaking out about mental health, sometimes it feels more like a trendy tagline rather than a genuine push for change.
The stigma is also reinforced by those who denounce mental health discussions both publicly and privately, spreading misinformation and ignorance. Additionally, in some communities, there is a lack of education about mental health, making it difficult for individuals to find the courage to seek help. This combination of unrealistic expectations, misinformation, and insufficient education continues to fuel the stigma around mental illness.
In your experience, what should a) individuals b) society, and c) the government do to better support people suffering from mental illness?
- Individuals:
- Allow clients to participate in their treatment plans actively. Personalizing treatment can help reduce misdiagnosis, especially among minority groups.
- Avoid using treatment or therapy as a threat when someone is not meeting expectations. Encourage supportive and understanding approaches instead.
2. Society:
- Increase public education efforts to help people understand that not every concern is a diagnosable mental illness. Educating the public can reduce stigma and promote a more compassionate approach to mental health.
3. Government:
- Integrate mental health education into school curriculums, emphasizing the importance of managing mental health, understanding personal finances, and maintaining physical fitness.
- Prioritize mental health initiatives over less impactful policies, such as those focused on controlling women’s reproductive systems. Focusing on mental health can create a healthier and more supportive society for everyone.
What are your 5 strategies you use to promote your own well-being and mental wellness?
1. The older I get, the more I realize moving my body- stretching and exercise helps me feel in control, more confident in my clothes, and mobile. I have been on and off the wellness train over the years but as an entrepreneur, my physical fitness has become so important to me. I realize when there are so many things outside of our control, I have to find things I can be in control of, physical activity is one of those things.
2. I try my best to find the good in every situation. Reframing how I see something really gives me an opportunity to release anger.
3. I use my breath in everything I do. I still get nervous before speaking publicly, providing training, consulting, and before a new client session. I breathe deep when I feel anxious and locate what the anxiety is telling me (e.g., fear of doing a bad job or fear of not meeting expectations).
4. I practice my skin care routine. I know this is becoming more popular but as a man who had bad acne growing up, I definitely feel better when caring for my skin.
5. I rest. Although I work a lot, I don’t drink heavily, or stay out very late. I take small naps when I can, and don’t do things that I know will make me feel unsettled. Challenged and unsettled are different to me. New clients and speaking engagements challenge me; being in clubs, heavy drinking, being in settings that don’t challenge me but make me feel unsettled I stay away from.
What are your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that inspire you to be a mental health champion?
- Therapy for your money (podcast)
- Next Level Leaders (podcast)
These give me a good dose of normalizing, wanting to earn a good living, and being a spiritual person who owns a business.
If you could tell other people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
How we treat ourselves and others gives us a chance to improve generations to come by passing on healthy patterns of behavior.
How can our readers follow you online?
Your readers can follow me on Instagram @itsdrjkeith
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you for having me and allowing me a chance to share!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold