Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Hopkins.
Hi Brittany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was younger, I actually wanted to be a dentist or an orthodontist. I was pretty certain that I would pursue that career path, so I began taking the necessary courses during my first semester of college. I was quickly reminded that I’m not a huge fan of chemistry and similar coursework. I knew that if I worked hard enough I could complete the necessary courses and still pursue that dream. However, I started to realize that maybe that wasn’t the field for me after all.
I naturally gravitated to my psychology classes. I absolutely loved the very human aspect of psychology, particularly learning about clinical work with people in a therapy setting. Psychology is a science, absolutely, but working with people in the therapy room is also an art. You combine the science of psychology with the humanness of sitting one on one with an individual and holding space for them to do some of the most challenging and meaningful work that a human can do. The more I learned in my psychology classes, the more confident I became that working as a therapist was right for me.
On a personal level, I’ve also seen the benefit that therapy can have in someone’s life. I’ve had family members with various mental health struggles that have sought counseling to address those issues and find support. I’ve also been in counseling at various points in my life, and I’ve found it to be incredibly helpful in navigating life’s challenges.
Once I completed my undergraduate degree at Georgia State University, I went on to pursue my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling there as well.
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?
When I decided I wanted to be a therapist, I literally knew nothing about how to get there. I wasn’t sure what degree I should pursue, and there were a lot of options between various masters and doctorate degrees. I also didn’t realize how much time and money I would have to put into getting fully licensed as a therapist after I received my degree. Once you have your Masters and complete your licensure exam, you’re able to obtain an associate’s license. This means that you are still being supervised in your clinical work. You still have to complete three years and thousands of hours of supervised experience before you’re fully licensed and able to practice independently. You have to pay for every hour of supervision as you pursue this, and you typically don’t make much money with an associate’s license. It’s expensive and posed a financial challenge for me.
It can also be discouraging. Many of the settings that hire associate licensed therapists require long hours, evening or overnight shifts, and require that you work with very challenging and complex mental health issues. I’m not complaining because I’m grateful for the experience that I got in some of these roles. However, I wish I had been better prepared for what to expect.
I ultimately decided that I wanted to pursue starting my own private practice. I didn’t know much about what it would take to ultimately be a therapist in private practice, but I have continued to seek guidance from others who have that knowledge and personal experience. From learning about legal requirements to taxes to marketing (just to name a few), being a small business owner is a challenge all its own. It’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ve had to learn as I go, and I’m still learning new things every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Center for Transformation and Renewal, LLC?
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia and founder of The Center for Transformation and Renewal, LLC. I currently see clients in person in my North Buckhead/Sandy Springs office as well as virtually for clients in Georgia and Florida. I specialize in working with clients with substance use disorders, eating disorders, women’s issues, life transitions, anxiety and depression. I currently offer individual therapy as well as various group offerings throughout the year. I am also a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and I offer supervision to new counselors seeking full licensure.
I love working with my clients to identify their personal goals for therapy and to help them make real and meaningful changes in their lives. Some clients come to see me because of some specific concern or struggle that they’re experiencing. Other clients simply want to better understand themselves and pursue personal growth. I truly see therapy as a collaborative process. I always tell clients, “Yes, I’m an “expert” on the counseling process, but YOU are the expert on your life.” I’m not here to tell clients what to do or how to feel. I’m here to help them uncover their own strengths and pave a path forward that is helpful for them. I strive to be supportive, encouraging, non-judgemental, an advocate and an ally.
What’s next?
My goal is to one day evolve The Center for Transformation and Renewal into a group counseling practice and wellness center. Mental health is only one aspect of overall health and wellness. I believe that physical, relational and spiritual health are also extremely important. Having various offerings to address these aspects of health in one center is a dream of mine. I also hope to find and pursue new and creative ways to make these services available to all, regardless of things like race, gender and socioeconomic status. I don’t have all of the answers as to how to do this. However, I’m committed to learning, growing and making the changes that I can to help.
Contact Info:
- Email: brittany@ctrcounselingatl.com
- Website: www.ctrcounselingatl.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ctrcounselingatl/
- Facebook: facebook.com/ctrcounselingatl
