Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Potter.
Hi Anthony, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Boston, Mass., I grew up poor in terms of material wealth but rich in love, knowledge, and determination. I learned at an early age that success would not come easy but that hard work combined with perseverance and a positive attitude would help me reach my goals. I entered Morehouse College in Atlanta as a freshman in August 1998 after a high school teacher had asked me if I had ever heard of the all-male, historically black college in Georgia, and I decided to schedule a visit. I fell in love with Morehouse! The students had a real passion for education and changing the world. They were doing great things and helping others. They had ideals. They were how I envisioned myself being, which was very different from the kids I grew up around and I knew that I needed to surround myself with people who inspired me and made me want to work harder and be better.
I graduated from Morehouse and pursued my advanced degree in Marriage & Family Therapy at Valdosta State University. While in graduate school, I was the Clinic Manager for our student-run clinic and became the Outreach Coordinator for the program where I learned many aspects to the administrative side of therapy. Upon graduation, I worked in many mental health care settings. I started in 2002 while working as a resident advisor in group homes throughout metro Atlanta. I continued my career to work therapeutically with the children, adolescent and family populations who were intertwined with the Department of Family & Child Services (DFCS), the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), juvenile probation, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF). I also led a daytime partial-hospitalization program/intensive outpatient program (PHP/IOP) for adults struggling with mental health and substance use issues. I am currently in full-time private practice and founder of ALP Therapy Services LLC in Vinings, GA of which I have other black male clinicians providing affordable services to the community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth but rather rewarding through the peaks and valleys. My mother passed away my Sophomore year of college while I was pledging and my father passed several years later. I left college in 2001 due to financial and personal complications and began working at a group home for at-risk youth in Atlanta — where my future as a mental health professional was clarified. I was a resident advisor, and my duties were to monitor and log the activities of the youth, prepare meals, transport children to medical and other appointments, and attend weekly treatment team meetings. I began noticing that the language and conceptual thoughts of how the treatment teams referred and dealt with the residents was pathological and stemming from a deficit vantage.
During one treatment team meeting, I offered an alternate viewpoint of the problem to which my suggestion was met with opposition. I was told that I should let the professionals, who have the education and understand the complexity of the cases, do their job — and for myself to do my job. It was at that moment that I realized the lack of perspective some mental health professionals possessed and how the voices of many marginalized people struggle to be heard as a result.
I knew it would not be easy, but decided to do whatever it took to save the funds necessary to return to Morehouse College and complete my education. Nine years and several different full-time and part-time jobs later — at such locations as H & R Block and Emory University Hospital — I returned to class while maintaning those full-time and part-time jobs at the same time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Anthony is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia. Anthony, originally from Boston, moved to Atlanta and attended Morehouse College where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/French and further received a Master of Science degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Valdosta State University. I was a board member for the Georgia Association for Marriage & Family Therapists (GAMFT) for six years and is an American Association for Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor. I have post-masters degree training in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couple Therapy Level 1, 2, & 3, and a Prepare/Enrich Trainer for premarital couples. I am also a Certified Juvenile Sex Offender Specialist, Aggression Replacement Training Facilitator, and Certified Anger Management Specialist plus I attend over 30 hours of Continuing Education training yearly. I am married, an awesome cook, likes to play basketball and golf, black belt in Taekwondo, a tax professional for over a decade, and a member of several charitable and fraternal organizations.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I attribute faith, perseverance, and community love to my success. God has continued to provide compassion, grace, and abundance along the way even when things did not seem as if they could work; He remained faithful! Given the many life challenges and obstacles along the way, there were many times that I could have given up and at times took breaks from pursuing my purpose and vision; however my perseverance to get back up and to keep moving despite the temporary circumstances has allowed me to be where I am at today. Lastly, my community love from my wife, family, friends, and networks have filled in the gaps to provide support, comfort, and motivation to not give up and to push through to which I am eternally grateful.
Pricing:
- $75-$150/hr Individual/Couple Session
- $25-$50/hr Clinical Intern Session
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alptherapy.com
