Today we’d like to introduce you to Odona Ezell-Whiddon.
Odona , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Columbus, GA and graduated from Brookstone School. I thought I wanted to be an attorney – I had wanted that my entire life, but an experience at church camp that summer made me think that God may have been calling me to something else. I was blessed to receive a full scholarship to Wesleyan College where I majored in Psychology and minored in Communications. When I graduated from college, I had no idea of what I wanted to do next, so I leaned back into becoming an attorney. I had a tentative plan to go to law school and was accepted to a couple, but three weeks before school was scheduled to start, I received the financial aid paperwork. At the time, I had no student loans, and the paperwork was calling for $30,000 for tuition, which didn’t account for a place to live or food to eat. So, I waitlisted them and gave myself time to really consider what I wanted to do.
I continued to work and started dating a guy, then had some flashbacks that sent me to counseling. Over the course of the next 10 months, I was able to process a prior relationship in my life that had been extremely abusive. Sitting in the office (and already having majored in Psychology as an undergrad), I had the thought that I would enjoy doing what my counselor was doing. Helping people work through difficult things. I asked her questions and she was very honest with me. I asked about school, her income, her schedule, and whether she thought it might be something I should pursue. She was supportive. I started doing research and even though I changed jobs a few times, finally found myself starting a graduate program for Community Counseling at a local State University.
I worked full-time, met my husband, got married, and got pregnant with my oldest son in the four years it took me to complete the program. I did not know what the next steps were. I liked my job, had great benefits, and I had shared with them my desire to work part-time after I had my baby. They were supportive and encouraging. Then, I had my sweet baby boy. I went back to work after 6 weeks and continued to ask about the part-time job they had agreed to. When everyone finally got back from the Holidays (I returned the week after Thanksgiving so many people were scattered and out until January), my supervisor and I met with our manager. They were both apologetic, but there was a hiring freeze. While they wanted to offer me a part-time position, to do so would mean they would be down a full person on the team. We all knew that was not possible. I also knew that I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing. My baby was not a good sleeper. I woke up exhausted, cried on the way to work, cried on the way home, and was up every hour and a half with the baby to nurse. It wasn’t working. I put in my two week notice, and that was that. They called every few months over the next few years wanting me to return, but I wanted to be with my son as much as I could.
Fast forward 3 years, and I begin working in a small private practice. I loved the work. It was rewarding and meaningful. But I experienced 2 miscarriages during that time. I was working with women in a substance abuse recovery program. Many had had abortions, had lost children to DFCS, or had given their children up for adoption. It was probably one of the hardest seasons of my life. Then, I was asked about possibly being the director of the practice as I finished up my licensure hours. It was a Christian counseling practice and I loved it, but I was not sure about being a director. Then, the pastor of my church asked me to come on staff and begin a counseling practice at the church. I prayed hard over the next few weeks. With no clear direction, I prayed that God would give me a neon sign! That Wednesday night in church, our congregation voted to put a light up sign at the entrance. I got the message and told the pastor I would come to work at the church. The next day when I went to work, the private practice held a meeting and announced that they had made the decision to close. I truly believe God was leading me and protecting me with that sign. As an aside, it’s been 14 years since then and the church still has not put in a light up sign and I firmly believe that action was just a clear message from God for me!
Over the last 14 years, I worked at my church, and during COVID worked at a group practice so telehealth became the standard.
After COVID, I decided it was time for me to venture out and start my own practice. I was a solo practitioner for 3 years, and this past summer (June 2025), I started a group practice. I have hired an administrative assistant and an associate clinician. I am cultivating a climate of support and encouragement where we help one another be our best selves and serve our clients well. I am excited about building Southern Springs Counseling Center into a practice that honors our community, as we serve God by caring for people. We have an office location in Columbus where we see people for in-person counseling, and we also offer telehealth to clients all over the state of Georgia.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Finding just the right location and just the right people to join me on this journey has been difficult. I reviewed many applications and held interviews, but finding just the right fit with the right energy took some time. Thankfully, I feel confident that we now have the right people on board that will help us grow into the next chapter. I plan to hire another clinician within the next six months.
Marketing is another hurdle. We have a new website, new goals for reaching out into the community, and letting people know that we are here, available, and ready to help them with whatever challenges they face.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Georgia. I specialize in working with married couples, particularly those wanting to incorporate their Christian faith into the counseling process. I also work with women recovering from abusive relationships. I am most proud of opening my group practice this past summer. It is something I had always hoped to do, and now it is happening! I am known in the community as a faith-based counselor working with adult individuals. But we have recently added a clinician that will work with children. I am hoping that we can be a place to help families by providing a breadth of services from individual therapy to marriage therapy to children’s therapy. We recognize that an individual’s faith is central to who they are and how they see the world, so we help clients incorporate their faith into the counseling process should they choose to do so.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Be sure to go to an accredited school that is accepted by the licensing board. In person schools are more likely to have connections in the community to help you find locations for practicum/internship and job opportunities after graduation. Online schools are great for completing the coursework with other responsibilities (full-time job or children), but they are typically very little help with the other important pieces of the puzzle. I would also encourage people to be sure that they understand what they are getting into. This career has a high burnout rate, and often comes with low pay, so be sure to do all the research.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy $150 per 45 minute session
- Couples Therapy $175 per 45 minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southernsprings.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odona_at_southernsprings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/odonawhiddon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odona-ezell-whiddon-ms-lpc-cpcs-5857b2b2/
Image Credits
Bobby Cochran Photography, Columbus, GA
