Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Cannon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amber. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I attended Hampton University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Upon graduation, I quickly realized I wasn’t totally ready for a graduate program so I spent a year preparing and finding the best counseling program that aligned with my needs and goals. Fall of 2018 I attended a graduate program information session in the Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) department and Georgia State University (GSU) and I quickly realized I found my place. I spent the next 3 years in the CPS department at GSU working to obtain my Masters of Science and Education Specialist in Professional Counseling. In fields such as counseling, obtaining a graduate degree isn’t the end; you then must complete years of clinical supervision depending on your graduate degree and the licensure you are working to obtain. While working under clinical supervision to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I was inspired by my supervisors and other professionals in the field. That’s where my passion for clinical supervision was ignited. I realized how crucial and valuable quality supervision was and is to an individual’s career. Once fully licensed as a Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, I continued to work and began researching the requirements to become a Clinical Supervisor in Georgia. That is when I reconnected with a former GSU professor, Dr. Diane Levy, and I joined her organization, Advanced Counselor Training, and Supervision, LLC. I consulted with her, obtained by Clinical Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) in Georgia and eventually was prepared to begin supervising Master’s level clinicians toward their LPC licensure.
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall the road has been relatively smooth, although curvy when I look back over my educational and professional journey thus far. While in graduate school and post-graduation, I’m sure I would have given a completely different answer. There were numerous assignment, requirements, hours to accumulate and deadlines to meet while balancing my personal life. I have worked in various settings that presented with their own unique challenges. Although I would have to say the largest challenge was figuring out how I can create a niche in the space of mental health and counseling that meets my needs as an individual while simultaneously helping my clients and community. I have been very fortunate to have an amazing support system along that way that was willing to help, support, encourage and push me whenever needed which has made the road much smoother and more enjoyable.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Advanced Counselor Training and Supervision story. Tell us more about it.
Advanced Counselor Training and Supervision, LLC was started by Dr. Diane Levy to enhance counselor effectiveness. Our mission is to offer high-quality, effective guidance and support to counselors that will empower them to provide ethical, evidence-based counseling to adults, children, and families in a variety of treatment settings. We believe that professional development is an on-going comprehensive process that includes supervision, consultation, and continuing education. I am one of the Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor (CPCS) and the Practice Administrator at Advanced Counselor Training and Supervision, LLC. I specialize in providing supervision to clinicians working with high acuity populations and their families in various settings, individuals with developmental disabilities and resource linkage in metro Atlanta.
As a company, I am most proud of our Clinical Supervision training and the level of quality supervision that we provide to every clinician. Our One-Stop-Shop for Clinical Supervision, helps eligible LPCs become eligible for the CPCS designation in Georgia. Our training participants come to all parts of the state and upon completion, they go on to provide supervision throughout the state of Georgia.
The fact that we are solely a specialty practice dedicated to enhancing counselor effectiveness sets us apart from others.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Over the next 5-10 years, I see the profession moving in a direction where Telemental Health is the norm. Telemental health counseling provides synchronous and asynchronous services to those in need of mental health services. I am also hopeful that all people that desire counseling will have greater accessibility to services of their choice while the stigma around mental health and counseling continues to decline.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
- Website: https://www.actrainingandsupervision.com/
- Phone: 770-913-6210
- Email: acannon@actrainingandsupervision.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actrainingandsupervision/
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