“I have always felt that I could deeply understand people to a great extent. Not just what they told me verbally, but able to connect the dots, understanding body language and voice inflection as well as the content of their speech. Many people in my life would question why so often strangers would come up to me and randomly tell me their life story. I always assumed “I had the face for it” which was a common saying where I’m from. I wanted to capitalize on that, train professionally for it, and be more than a listening ear. I wanted to educate, process through issues, and help people achieve their goals for a better life, a better version of themselves, and promote a Growth Mindset.”
– Jesse Alcorn
My Education:
- B.S. Psychology University of Wyoming
- M.S. Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Montana State University- Billings
Personal:
Q: Why did you become a mental health counselor?
A: I enjoy helping people. Little things, big things, it doesn’t really matter. I just like the feeling of mutual gain and the nature of giving. I help the person and that feeling of grace in turn helps me. Yalom, a renowned existential psychiatrist suggests that Altruism is having a mutual benefit.
However, where I am not the most adept with my hands, I knew I had strong control over my words. I felt as if helping people was not only my spiritual calling, but the way my life leading up to it was orchestrated that way. Psychology fascinated me, but the research and data components were unfulfilling. When I started performing therapy for the first time, that light clicked. As if the final piece of the puzzle opened up an opportunity for my true calling. I knew that not only did I have a desire to engage with people on an emotional and spiritual journey through therapy, but that I now had an obligation to do so. Having seen lives change over the years allows me to be more confident than ever that I made the right choice.
Q: What are your interests outside of work?
A: Self-care is wildly important to me! I am an avid golfer and typically am on the course multiple times each week. You’ll also likely see the three-year-old Goldendoodle at some point if you decide to choose Growth Mindset for your therapy. He is a phenomenal dog and my best friend. We go on long hikes at Phipps park, run at the local track, go on road trips, or to the gym. He is almost always with me. On top of that, I listen to podcasts frequently and love to write!
Q: What is one thing you do daily that supports your well-being?
A: I try to spend time listening to gospel music in the morning, as an early riser, and take my dog for a walk. Additionally, I try to make sure I exercise, even on the days I don’t quite feel up to it, I hold myself accountable and just get there.
Q: How do you recharge or fill up your cup?
A: I am a huge fan of naps. Seriously, engaging in my routine, having a clean home, and setting aside time to enjoy the bliss of removing myself from my obligations truly fills my cup. It took me quite some time to identify what I needed to recharge, but since developing a routine that works well for me, I will never go back to being complacent when it comes to self-care. So I suppose the answer to that question is that I make time for myself.
