Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Carmody.
Jack, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been a licensed counselor since 2020, but in many ways I have been counseling for most of my working years! I worked as a pastor in South Carolina from 2010-2019. I am also a chaplain (part-time) in the Air National Guard and prior to that I was a chaplain in the Navy Reserves. Part of the role of pastor and chaplain is counseling people. I was about seven years into being pastor and I felt led to examine my passions, experiences, and gifts, and ask God where the best place for me to serve might be. I realized that the aspects of my pastor and chaplain roles that I enjoyed most were the counseling aspects. Sitting with people in hard places seem to come naturally to me. I decided to take some graduate school counseling classes, enjoyed them, and felt led to finish the degree and become a full-time licensed counselor.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As I’ve talked with literally thousands of people over the years about their career journey, I’ve found that most paths aren’t a straight line. Mine is no different. The first challenge was graduate school. Here I was at age 38, going back to school for a second masters degree. That’s a bit unorthodox! The biggest obstacle during that season was COVID. The mental hospital where I was doing my internship closed down multiple times during the pandemic. There were points where I was not sure if I was going to get the required hours I needed to graduate on time. Thankfully by God’s grace, I was able to finish – I just had to dawn a hazmat suite everyday in order to see patients!
The second challenge was our move. After graduating I opened up a private counseling practice in Chapin, SC where we had lived for the last ten years. Since I had pastored there I was very well connected in the community and the practice grew quickly. In 2022, we felt led to move to Nashville. While we felt affirmed in moving, it did present two challenges for my counseling practice. First, I had to re-establish the practice in a community where I did not know a lot of people. Like any small business, connections and word of mouth are incredibly important, and it just takes time to build that up. Second, counseling is part of the medical field which is regulated by the state. Each state has their own regulations and the Tennessee regulations were very different than the South Carolina regulations. Long story short, I was not able to be fully licensed in Tennessee until April 2024, almost two years after moving here.
Looking back at these struggles, I definitely see God’s hand along the way. Each road block is a chance to trust, and develop patience. I am thrilled to be in Nashville living out my calling. I am excited to see what God is going to do!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Jack Carmody Christian Counseling?
I am a licensed therapist providing Christian counseling services to couples and individuals. I offer in-person sessions in Nashville/Franklin and video to anyone in South Carolina, Florida, or Tennessee. I see teenagers through adults, and really enjoy working with men and couples. I have been helping people discover God’s best for their lives for over 15 years in various capacities – ordained minister, military chaplain, and licensed counselor. I consider myself a generalist, with specialized training in working with trauma (EMDR) and marriages (Gottman Method). I believe that if people can bring their struggles into the light that God can heal. I consider it a true privilege to be able to be a part of that healing work my clients – whether their struggles are personal, professional, or relational.
What matters most to you?
The two things that matter most to me are honesty and humility. These two qualities are paramount in the healing process. First, we have to be honest. Honest about our circumstances. Honest with our thoughts and feelings surrounding them. Honest with God. Being honest can be difficult. In a really hard situation many of us are prone to downplay it, or avoid it altogether. We tell ourselves, “Things will work themselves out” or “It’s not that bad” or “I’ll deal with that tomorrow.” All of these mindsets help us manage the discomfort we experience when we feel stuck, but they also hinder progress. Being honest means acknowledging what’s going on. Allowing ourselves to feel. To sit in the pain. Honesty is the first (and hardest) step!
Second, we have to be humble. It takes humility to ask for help To share our burdens with others. It takes humility to acknowledge that whatever mess we find ourselves in, we may have contributed to it. Even in the rare situations where people find themselves 100% the victim, it takes humility to say, “This may not be my fault, but it is my responsibility.” Having humility allows us to say we’re sorry, and to extend and receive forgiveness. Being humble allows us to be open to the fact that we may not see the full picture, and that maybe God is working in ways we can’t see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jackcarmody.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jack-Carmody-Counseling-Nashville-Franklin/100063749186786/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carmody-950834a2/
