Foundation Connections

Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Jakara Scurry, MA, NCC, LCMHC, LCAS-A, Licensed School Counselor (NC), CCC, took a path that has carried her across continents. After earning two bachelor’s degrees at Washington Adventist University, she spent 4 years teaching in Seoul, Korea. Her time abroad deepened her faith and gave her the chance to build community with others who shared it. When she returned to the United States, she pursued graduate training at North Carolina Central University, completing master’s degrees in school counseling and career counseling and placement, along with additional coursework in addiction studies. Today, Jakara is pursuing her PhD in counseling and counselor education at North Carolina State University.

She describes her decision to become a counselor as deeply personal. “I decided to pursue licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Clinical Addiction Specialist because I lost my father to alcohol addiction when I was 17, and I wanted to be able to help individuals manage and overcome mental health and substance use concerns.” The influence of her high school counselor, Mrs. Charlene Johnson, also shaped her path. “She truly cared through her words and, most importantly, her actions. I wanted to be for other students what she was for me, an exceptional school counselor.”

That combination of personal loss and meaningful mentorship motivated her to serve others. It has also given her a clear perspective on what success looks like. “As a counselor, success entails the ability to build a strong and trusting client-counselor relationship where clients feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves.”

Selected as a 2020 NBCCF Addictions Counseling Fellow and a 2024 NBCCF Doctoral Fellow, Jakara has carried that mindset into her fellowship experiences. The growth in her work during those years has been significant. “From the time I was an Addictions Counseling Fellow to now as a Doctoral Fellow, my interest in research and supporting unique populations has blossomed.” Once intimidated by research, she now embraces it as a way to strengthen the profession and reach communities often left without adequate services. Her recent projects focus on counselor training in spirituality and religion, as well as increasing access for people who are justice-involved or experiencing homelessness.

Addiction counseling has always been central to her work. “Addiction counseling is crucial to the overall mental health landscape because most individuals who struggle with addictive behaviors or substance abuse also have a mental health diagnosis.” She stresses the need for integrated care that addresses both sides of this reality. At the same time, she is pushing for more awareness of career challenges faced by those with addictions, noting that employment instability is a major barrier to long-term recovery.

“I believe a strong support system is crucial for long-term recovery.” She emphasizes that recovery cannot be separated from access to quality mental health services, stable housing, employment, and community support. Counselors, she adds, need to understand the nature of addiction while also being able to connect clients with practical resources.

For those just starting in counseling, Jakara shares advice on patience and perspective. “Most importantly, I would encourage them to understand that they are not expected to be an expert when they begin. As such, they should give themselves grace, view mistakes as an opportunity to become better, and trust the process.”

As she looks ahead, Jakara envisions herself as a teacher and a counselor. Her goal is to teach future counselors while still practicing part time, and to continue conducting research on spirituality, religion, and recovery. For her, the work is about connection, whether that means supporting a client as they build coping strategies, guiding a student as they discover their potential, or helping a community gain access to services that help them heal.

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