Today we’d like to introduce you to Tavonda Hudson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2009, I decided I want a job that required a professional licensure and to help people. I had a successful career in sales and marketing but wanted to help people with mental and emotional health versus purchasing decisions.
While unemployed, I volunteered at Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry. It was a life-changing experience. I realized my situation was no different than the people who came for assistance. It motivated me to apply for graduate school and I started McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University fall of 2010.
I earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Counseling and Master of Divinity in the fall of 2015. My initial interest was pastoral counseling, but after working in churches and completing two chaplaincies in underserved communities, I discovered this wasn’t a good fit. My ultimate goal was to counsel people in transition or without homes, but as a case manager intern at the Lokey Muriel Center at the Emmaus House in the People’s Town neighborhood, I experienced these individuals are always on the go and didn’t have the resources to continue mental health counseling.
My last year in graduate school, I discovered my calling. In a career development course, I had an epiphany that I can help people find purpose and meaning in life through the world of work, so I pursued career counseling. After graduation, I secured a career counselor position in a university setting.
At the university, I helped first-year students and sophomores with selecting majors and careers. This was a rewarding experience, not only because college students needed it the most; I was able to see the fruits of my labor. Once these students were self-aware of their interests, personality, values, and skills, it was easy for them to navigate which major or occupations could possibly be fit a good. It also decreased their anxiety and depression around transitioning to and navigating college. I also enjoyed helping students who thought they were stuck in a major with how to navigate into a new field by completing internships, volunteer work, and networking.
During my time at the university, I earned my Licensed Professional Counselor credential. It was always a goal to start a private practice once I had my LPC. I started two private practices, Career Insight and Sacred Care & Counseling. I decided to create a separate practice for career counseling because it also includes professional development along with career development.
My professional journey also mirrors my personal experience with mental health and career development. I attended personal counseling for anxiety that exacerbated with dissatisfaction for my business career. My anxiety started in high school when I attended a science and math magnet school. Science and math are not my strengths, and I became overwhelmed and stressed because I spent four years working on a weakness when I could have been focusing on my strengths.
After attending group counseling, I knew I wanted to help people overcome mental and emotional barriers to living a healthy lifestyle. Grad school and my professional journey motivated me to help people to realize the possibility of job satisfaction and success in the world of work.
Has it been a smooth road?
No. Being a first-generation college student, I wasn’t aware of career services or alumni services. I lacked proper career and professional development.
Suffered from anxiety because I was not using my natural strengths, which made me feel inadequate.
Finances and time to explore interests in undergrad.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Career Insight & Sacred Care and Counseling – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Career Insight is a private practice that focuses on career and professional development with high school/college students, new professionals, and adults. I enjoy helping people to discover that Job Satisfaction & Success are a possibility. I use counseling and coaching techniques to help students and new professionals overcome the anxiety of job searching, networking, interviewing, and finding a major/career.
What separates me from other LPC’s, is that I separate career from personal counseling. Most of LPC’s offer career counseling but lack experience in professional development. (resume writing, interviewing, networking, job search, employer relations, and etc.) Career development also has a different theoretical approach and interventions than traditional counseling.
Sacred Care & Counseling provides quality mental health in the metro Atlanta area. I am not only a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia, but also a National Certified Counselor. I enjoy helping people find their inner peace and calmness regardless of what’s happening in their personal life and the world. I use spirituality and psychotherapy to help people overcome internal and external barriers in life. I incorporate spiritual disciplines along with traditional copings skills to manage anxiety and depression.
What separates Sacred Care & Counseling from other practices that may offer Christian or spiritual counseling, is that I hold a Master of Divinity and completed pastoral care and counseling in various faith-based settings in the metro Atlanta area.
Specialty:
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Career development
* Career counseling (transition)
* Spirituality
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Atlanta is home and will always be home. I love the culture of the city. Art, music, and restaurants. There is always something to do. I appreciate the civil right’s history of the city and what it means to the country.
I dislike the displacement of marginalized communities for gentrification.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4725 Peachtree Corners Circle Suite 185
Norcross, GA 30313 - Website: www.careerinsightatl.com www.sacredcareandcounseling.com
- Phone: 678-506-7499
- Email: thudson@careerinsightatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/career_insightatl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/careerinsightatl/community/?ref=page_internal
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