About Jackie Lightner, LICSW
Empowering Change Through Leadership, Innovation & Advocacy
Jackie Lightner, LICSW, is a thought leader in women’s mental health, known for her authentic, empathetic, and empowering approach. As a licensed clinician, speaker, and entrepreneur, Jackie is dedicated to elevating women’s mental health as a national priority, breaking down stigma, and making care more accessible to all.
Her work is rooted in evidence-based clinical practices while integrating holistic healing modalities—ensuring that individuals, teams, and organizations receive the most innovative and effective support.
A Journey of Growth, Resilience & Impact
Jackie’s passion for mental health and leadership was shaped by both personal and professional experiences. From an early age, she naturally took on the role of a community builder, someone who others turned to for guidance, support, and perspective.
However, her path was profoundly shaped at just 16 when her mother suffered a life-altering aneurysm, leaving her bedridden and non-verbal for the next 18 years. This experience deeply influenced Jackie’s perspective on resilience, caregiving, and emotional health.
Despite excelling in her academic and professional pursuits, Jackie struggled internally with unresolved grief and turned to alcohol and prescription medication to cope. Through a powerful personal and professional awakening, she made the courageous decision to step into sobriety on January 24, 2020—a moment that would redefine every aspect of her life.
Since getting sober, Jackie has built strong teams, founded organizations, and instilled confidence and comfort in those she serves. She launched her private practice in 2021, expanded to a multi-provider team in 2022, and co-founded Lightwork Therapy & Recovery in 2023—a space dedicated to making mental health care more accessible to women and normalizing seeking help for optimizing well-being.
Her approach is both warm and direct, striking a balance between vulnerability and accountability—one of the many reasons individuals, teams, and organizations seek her leadership.
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Experience Meets Expertise
Jackie is known for leadership through collaboration—assessing the needs of individuals while balancing the needs of businesses, programs, and communities. She builds strong teams, creates programs that integrate clinical and holistic approaches, and provides leadership that is rooted in both personal passion and professional excellence.