We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Bell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, how do you think about risk?
2023 was definitely a year of change for me. I had worked in the community mental health field for about five years, worked as a therapist for eight years, and worked in the mental health field for about 13 years before I decided to take a chance on myself by leaving a stable job in order to open my private practice. I knew if I wanted to continue to grow in my career as a therapist, I would need to do it on my own terms. I opened my practice with the intention of providing a safe place for families to grow in their relationships with one another. I also wanted to provide representation for the BIPOC population in Los Angeles. While opening a solo private practice was risky, it has also been the most rewarding experience to finally become my own boss and trust that I am providing effective services for families.

What should our readers know about your business?
I began the process in late 2022, began to see clients over telehealth by February/March 2023, and transitioned to a full-time private practice (telehealth and office sessions) by August 2023. Since then, I have enjoyed managing my own schedule while working with families to improve their communication with one another. The early days of making the business was demanding, but the emotional payout in building a business has been remarkable. Along the way, I learned how to manage my time, ask for help and support from my loved ones when needed, and have learned to trust my instincts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend were to visit Los Angeles, I definitely would recommend walking the Silver Lake Reservoir Trail in the morning, stopping by Sticky Rice in Echo Park or The Silver Lake House (By Leela Thai) for lunch, shop at the Americana in Glendale, and then eat at Tarme Mediterranean Grill in Glendale, CA for dinner.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Saraiah Wesley, LMFT–She was my supervisor at an agency I worked for in the past and is my mentor.

Website: https://jasminebellfamilytherapy.clientsecure.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminebellfamilytherapy/

Other: Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jasmine-bell-family-therapy-pasadena-ca/1088488?preview=1&return_to=https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/home&_ga=2.19212408.1506336721.1709570888-751826103.1668836492&_gl=1*1o5suvs*_ga*NzUxODI2MTAzLjE2Njg4MzY0OTI.*_ga_5EMHF6S1M6*MTcwOTU3MDg4OC4xNzQuMS4xNzA5NTcwODk3LjUxLjAuMA..

Image Credits
The Headshot Truck in North Hollywood–https://headshottruck.com/contact-us/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.