Shantelle Jacobs’ Approach to Coaching, Resilience & Transformative Mental Wellness
Growing up between greater New Orleans and Los Angeles gave Pure Mind Counseling & Wellness founder Shantelle Jacobs an original view of the world. Surrounded by various cultures, she interacted with those around her differently, noting her parents’ servant-hood. “It was always important that people matter and that we give people hope,” she said.
One might think her entrance into the behavioral health sector was inevitable—but it wasn’t always her first choice.
Interested in atmospheric science, Jacobs studied meteorology in college, only for it to fall short of her expectations. A journey to her school’s counseling center later, and she was on a new career path: becoming a therapist. “It made sense,” Jacobs shared. “People gravitated toward me and would come to me for guidance and support.”
But Jacobs wanted to do more than successfully break into the mental health sector; so, she started her own coaching business helping people seek clarity in their lives.
“I didn’t choose this work—I responded to it,” Jacobs said. “It has certainly been God’s calling on my life.”
Setting her coaching model apart from traditional frameworks, Jacobs’ core philosophy favors alignment over pressure. She scales back to address emotional ambiguity first, noting that “confusion is not a flaw, it’s information.” Without doing so, we aren’t capable of fully tapping into success and impact. Though, Jacobs gives human resilience the spotlight, claiming it’s what helps clients move forward.
“How we think—our words and thoughts—determine our mood, how we show up, and the decisions we make,” she said. Even a simple deep breath, reaching out for support, and creating a plan can make life easier, Jacobs shared. However, she’s very clear that “problems will come,” she continued. “Accept that as part of life, but understand that we are resilient people.”
This notion of endurance is directly tied to her faith, in which Jacobs offers to “gently but intentionally” weave Biblical philosophy into sessions for clients who welcome it. “I often say we invite Jesus into the room...,” she shared. “Faith gives context to the journey without the pressure to perform.” Still, for clients who prefer a secular approach, she doesn’t have to explicitly preach the gospel: “It’s simply who I am,” Jacobs said.
No matter a person’s goals, struggles, or spiritual foundation, Jacobs’ intention is peace. “I used to be a perfectionist,” she said. “God told me...‘Don’t focus on being perfect, focus on being impactful.” According to Jacobs, when individuals gain this insight, they go from reacting to intentionally living—and peace becomes sustainable.
Because we live in a world where everyone can benefit from peace, personal growth by means of dismantling barriers, setting boundaries, and regulating emotions isn’t just for those with deep-seated pain and chronic mental illness. “Some [people] are high-functioning and successful but struggling internally,” Jacobs explained. She even notes those with strong faiths: “You can know the Bible and believe in Scripture, but if you don’t understand why you keep making the same mistakes or feel stuck, you’re like a hamster on a wheel.”
Jacobs is on a mission to restore wellness, bringing her unique upbringing, distinct philosophy, and guiding light to the table— one session at a time.
By Ruby Ford-Dunker
