Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Sterling.
Hi Brianna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
During my undergraduate degree, I was enrolled in a Child & Family Development course that discussed the effects of trauma on childhood development. I hated learning how impactful these events can be and how they can lead to severe, long-lasting symptoms across the survivor’s lifespan. This anger also empowered me to pursue further education and experience working with & serving trauma survivors. I learned about the different types of trauma, the short-term and long-term effects, ways to prevent it, and ways to increase resiliency in those who have been affected. I volunteered at domestic violence shelters, group homes, and advocacy programs. I created a Prevent Child Abuse chapter at my undergraduate college, where we provided psychoeducation to students, promoted community preventative measures for abuse/neglect, & held fundraisers for local non-profits. These combined experiences solidified my decision to pursue a graduate degree in social work.
During my graduate degree, I gained more experience as a social worker at the micro, mezzo, and macro level. I observed case management strategies within DFCS’ child protector services & family preservation sectors. This stressful but meaningful experience gave me more awareness of the systemic issues child survivors & their families face by the systems set up to serve & protect them. I served as a family advocate, grant coordinator, & therapeutic camp counselor for multiple child advocacy centers. This allowed me to observe forensic interviews, learn about the painful steps survivors of violent crimes go through to seek justice and to get services, and educate me on ways to provide accessible, trauma-informed care. I also gained clinical experience as a behavioral therapist for an inpatient psychiatric hospital. This powerful experience in clinical, direct practice social work led me to discover my passion for therapy & drove me to pursue a career as an outpatient, specialized trauma therapist serving children, adolescents, and adults.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to this career has been somewhat bumpy. I never thought I’d become a therapist. In fact, I changed my major several times during undergrad. I actually went to graduate school in hopes to become a forensic interviewer, not a trauma therapist. It wasn’t on my radar until after I gained more experience at my internships and understood the different roles one could have when serving trauma survivors. Then, once I narrowed my career path down to outpatient trauma therapy, I had to begin the lengthy post-graduate licensure process.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Heart Stone Therapeutic Healing is a trauma-informed, person-centered therapy practice located in Athens, GA that serves child, adolescent, and adult trauma survivors all over Georgia. We provide a holistic approach to healing & utilize a variety of approaches to address our client’s individual and unique needs. We incorporate modalities that aid our clients in healing their minds, body, and spirit from trauma. The types of psychotherapy we use most often include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting (BSP). Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
What sets us apart from other practices is the unique space we’re housed in – The Healing Arts Centre (HAC). The HAC houses the Sangha Yoga Studio, Remedy Herb Shop, and other professionals offering a variety of services, such as: Yoga Therapy, Reiki, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and more. The therapists at Heart Stone Therapeutic Healing have access to and collaborate with these other professionals here at the Centre often. This symbiotic relationship provides our clients with a variety of tools & pathways they can use for deep, long-lasting healing.
Any big plans?
Right now, my goals for the future are to expand my practice, Heart Stone Therapeutic Healing (HSTH). I would love to hire more professionals so together we can serve more clients & trauma survivors. I also dream of establishing a non-profit within HSTH so we can apply for grants & create ways to make services like EMDR, BSP, and Yoga more affordable & accessible. In the near future, I plan on bringing on a paid intern to not only help train other younger professionals but also help create a much-needed change in our field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartstonetherapeutichealing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HeartStoneTherapeuticHealing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartStoneTherapeuticHealing
Image Credits
Jason Thrasher
