Meet Erika Hill of Collier Counseling in Atlanta/ Tucker Area

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Hill.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Erika. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey began my senior year of college at Georgia College and State University when I was taking a Counseling Theories Class. As a psychology major, I always had an interest in the behavior patterns of individuals, the human mind, and general psychology. I always thought there was a reason why we behaved certain ways. However, it was my senior year of college when I realized that I wanted to become a Therapist. I wanted to help individuals change their learned maladaptive behaviors and have lives that are meaningful to them.

Upon graduated from Georgia College and State University in 2010 with my BS in Psychology, I enrolled into Argosy University Atlanta Campus. While at Argosy University, I earned my Masters’ of Art in Community Counseling. While working on my degree at Argosy University, I took several classes and completed an internship as a Mental Health Therapist which further increased my love for providing therapy, increased my knowledge, and my skillset.

Along my journey to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I provided therapy and case management services to several different populations (children, adolescents, and adults) in different community, inpatient, outpatient, and non-profit settings. While working with one agency in particular, I realized I connected well and had a passion for working with adolescents and young women. I also realized that I wanted to provide therapy services in a way that clients felt empowered and heard. I wanted to be able to see the changes and for my clients to have the life they envisioned for themselves.

One of the career goals I set for myself was to get started in a private practice providing therapy and to learn the business of having a private practice. In December 2018, Autumn Collier gave me the opportunity to join her private practice Collier Counseling, LLC.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not exactly, however I have had some great mentors along the way. One challenge I had was having my application for my LPC denied the first time I applied due to not having consecutive supervision. Another challenge was finding a supervisor to provide affordable supervision. I have also had to work to find my voice and be able to advocate for myself.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
At Collier Counseling LLC, we are a group of therapists that provides psychotherapy services to women and couples. We provide individual, family, and couples counseling. We treat anxiety, depression, prenatal and postpartum issues, lack of assertiveness, trauma, and emotional eating.

I work to help self-motivated young women “have it all” while managing the ups and downs of life. To “have it all” means something different for everyone. I help women redefine and create their own definition of “having it all” and set and achieve realistic goals.

What I am proud of the most is that we are women helping women. I am also proud of the supportive and positive environment that is fostered at Collier Counseling, LLC.

What sets me apart from others is the rapport and genuine connections that I make with my clients. I work to collaborate with my clients to create a supportive environment that promotes growth.

What were you like growing up?
Moving from Raleigh, NC to Augusta, GA at the age of 11 was an adjustment for me. So when I first moved to Georgia, I was very sensitive, shy, and quiet especially at school. Around close friends and at home with family, I was a little more talkative but still sensitive. I enjoyed reading, writing, and writing poems. I also developed a love for music as a child. In high school, I became more talkative and involved in school activities while also being really focused on my grades. I graduated high school 3rd overall in my class. I knew that getting an education and going to college was my way to a brighter future. While in high school, I played volleyball, was active in JROTC, was on the school newsletter, and in several organizations. I engaged in a lot of volunteer activities.