And Why Resilience Became My Specialty
I didn’t take the traditional path to becoming a therapist.
I didn’t start in social services. I didn’t work in a nonprofit. I landed in the corporate world out of necessity.
I graduated into a recession with a psychology degree and zero job prospects. So, I pivoted. I joined the business world — an entry-level position in a big company.
And honestly? It was the best thing that could have happened to me.
Real-world business experience grounded me. It gave me practical skills. It taught me how to drive results. And, ironically, it taught me more about human nature than my psychology degree ever did.
The business world shaped the way I approach therapy today—especially when it comes to resilience.
The Corporate World Taught Me More About Human Nature Than My Psychology Degree
I saw firsthand how high achievers navigate career challenges, relationship hurdles, and personal roadblocks.
The pressure to perform was relentless. The stakes were high. And many people were barely holding it together—burnout, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, you name it.
That’s when I started looking for ways to manage stress.
I took a yoga class (before yoga was trendy). For the first time, I remember feeling truly relaxed. So, I kept going back. I didn’t talk about it much—no one at work wanted to hear about something as “weird” as yoga.
My colleagues were busy pursuing MBAs and climbing the corporate ladder. I wanted to excel, too. But I trusted my instincts and started a graduate program in counseling psychology.
Resilience Isn’t Something You’re Born With — It’s Something You Build
When it came time for internships, I didn’t fit into the usual social service placements. So, I landed in an executive outplacement firm, coaching professionals who had just lost their jobs.
I helped them dust themselves off, rebuild their confidence, and prepare for their next opportunity. Learning how to network, build a resume, and interview effectively was resilience in action—before I even knew resilience would become my specialty.
Then the stock market crashed. My job was eliminated. And suddenly, I had to apply my own career counseling advice—to myself.
That challenge led to a better-paying job, more opportunities, and a promotion—right after having a baby. I even developed a product that earned me a special bonus from the board of directors.
But the pressure never stopped. The expectations were sky-high. So, I deepened my mindfulness practice, adding meditation to my routine.
Then—another economic downturn. This time, I was told my job would now require 70% travel nationwide.
Ever tried explaining that to a five-year-old? So, I jumped off a cliff.
Resilience in Action: Building a Business from Scratch
Instead of taking the assignment, I took a severance package, got my counseling license, and started building what would become LifeWise by Dr. Jan.
No corporate safety net. No guarantees. Fortunately, I had no idea what I was getting into—starting a counseling practice that didn’t accept insurance, with no name recognition or contacts. On top of that, I was incorporating mindfulness-based practices before “mindfulness” was a buzzword.
In my spare time (I had a lot at first), I did volunteer grief counseling at a progressive local hospice. They asked me to incorporate mindfulness into their grief support groups—and that program won a national award.
I started the seven-year journey of my doctoral thesis, focusing on resilience. I discovered that building resilience is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I began studying five evidence-based ways people learn to get a grip, get back up, and keep going when life knocks them down.
Then, I made a huge business mistake.
I moved into an office before my landlords fulfilled their promises. I moved out. My landlords sued me (unsuccessfully, whew!) I had to run my practice from home temporarily.
Then, another challenge: A major corporation in town told me, “We never refer to a therapist whose practice is in their home.” That stung.
Until I realized I had the perfect setup:
- A comfortable, confidential space in a nice neighborhood.
- A central location—accessible from anywhere in town.
- No waiting room. No sign out front. Total privacy.
So, I flipped the script. I reframed my shame attack into a snappy new marketing strategy. Soon, I started booking more clients—including some from the company that dumped me.
What I’ve Learned About Resilience
Through my own personal and professional challenges, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable—it’s about being adaptable.
It’s about learning to recover, recalibrate, and move forward, even when life doesn’t go as planned.
- Resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs. It’s about knowing when to persevere and when to pivot.
- Building resilience doesn’t require digging through your past. You can start exactly where you are, right now.
- Resilience is personal. Some people need neuroscience-backed strategies to rewire thought patterns. Others thrive with mindfulness-based practices or solutionfocused problem-solving. The key is finding the right fit for you.
As I applied these principles to my work, I saw how they resonated with high-achievers, executives, and professionals — many of them couples — looking for practical, results-driven strategies.
My boutique practice grew as my column in MD-Update attracted more healthcare professionals, sending me referrals or seeking for themselves more resilience and less stress at work or home.
My practice has since expanded into another unexpected and challenging area: the growing number of parents estranged from an adult child.
My resilience-oriented approach has attracted a national audience of parents searching for a way forward and is the basis of my upcoming book, Embracing Space: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Low or No Contact Estrangement.
Resilience Is a Skill—And You Can Build It
Resilience isn’t just for the rare few who are naturally tough. It’s a skill anyone can develop with the right tools, mindset, and support.
I’ve seen firsthand why my Counseling with a Coaching Edge approach resonates with high achievers, couples, and estranged families alike: It’s not about endlessly analyzing problems—it’s about solving them.
If you’re ready to move forward, build resilience, and take action, let’s talk:
- Solution-Focused.
- Evidence-Based.
- Results-Oriented.
Your next step starts here. Schedule a consultation at www.DrJanAnderson.com or call 502.426.1616.