Brittany Johnson
Hello, my name is Brittany Johnson, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have almost 5 years of counseling experience working with mostly adults in more than one setting. I have worked with clients in private practice, and more recently as a jail mental health clinician. I have experience working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, serious mental illness, suicidal ideation, self-harm, personality disorders, trauma, and grief and loss. I also have experience working with clients navigating new or difficult adjustments in life. I am passionate about helping others solve problems, find resolve, explore patterns, their past, and how to cope with current struggles and or addictions. I enjoy walking alongside clients who need help navigating life, support, and doing that without judgement, and with empathy and compassion. I enjoy advocating for my clients and challenging them to be the best version of themselves.
First session
I would hope that a new client who has no experience with therapy can leave their first session with me, with some relief, and feels of pressure released. Clients will get a very easy-going session, getting to know expectations of therapy with me, and answering any questions they may have. Trust has to be built in a therapeutic relationship, and clients should understand that I allow the client to lead with questions, and what they expect from me as a therapist. A client should feel more hopeful about their future , and having a better understanding that they can feel supported in therapy.
Strengths
I come from a bi-racial background and did not have a traditional family upbringing. I have had the opportunity to be surrounded by different cultures growing up, to include eating different types of foods, which I absolutely love! I have had to experience hardships, family and relational challenges, and have lost loved ones. I pride myself on being a person who can be comfortable in many different settings, and around diverse individuals. Due to what I have experienced in life, it really allows me to sit with individuals in some of the worse moments, and even some of the best moments of their lives. I can say that I know what it feels like, even if the situation is not the same. Within the past few years, being in an incarceration setting has opened up my eyes to many unfortunate struggles that individuals are facing. I really see a need for those who have not had a fair chance in life, and or just need guidance, and support because they have never had that before. I like to challenge my clients and help them see their potential. At the same time, I love to have fun, laugh, and I bring my true self to my sessions.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, substance use issues, or just needs help navigating a new challenge or adjustment in their life. My ideal client is ready and motivated to make change, have goals, and is okay with being challenged. The ideal client does not mind homework assignments from time to time. My ideal client wouldn't mind having fun and laughing in session. I believe laughter is great medicine. The client I work with may have concerns about past therapists not working out and may have some difficulty trusting again. That's okay, and I can work with that. My ideal client could be coming to therapy for the first time, or 10th time, it does not matter, what matters is that my client made the first step in reaching out, and let's build from there.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a evidence based approach to therapy. I like using this technique because its simple, and very effective. I will educate my clients on how in life, and how we approach ideas, decisions, or actions, is based on a thought. That thought then is controlled by an emotion, which produces an action. Often times we believe we have to dwell on everything that comes into our mind, and don't actually investigate or process why we think what we think. CBT is a process of training your brain to think differently. This comes through lots and lots of practice. I like to give homework to clients and educate them on how to utilize the approach to explore their thoughts and teach them how to think differently. Once clients are able to grasp the concept, its easier to get a hold of the thoughts that have been controlling them.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I find that solution focused brief therapy is a great tool for those who are looking to solve problems rather quickly and need some guidance in getting there. I have used scaling questions when asking clients their current symptoms in order to explore what is going on. I have also used the miracle question, allowing the client to envision what their life could look like if everything was different when they woke up. Clients who are motivated for change and have been able to imagine themselves in a different place then where they currently are can greatly benefit from this approach. I absolutely love to create small step plans, and help a client navigate next steps, and what they need to do to get there. I will also draw up on strengths of clients and help them build upon that.
Supportive
I like using supportive therapy with clients as a way to build rapport. Often times trying to use a technique right away may not be as efficient. Listening, providing support, empathy, and no judgment can help a client feel comfortable opening up and sharing. I would use this method by listening and offering feedback. I would also suggest coping skills, education on mental health practices, and helping clients to view their situation from different perspectives.
Psychodynamic
I like using the psychodynamic approach to help client explore their past. I believe that the past can help explain current behavior, and or current issues. I would start by having open ended conversations and helping clients explore their past experiences by using a timeline approach. The timeline approach represents major events, whether positive or negative, and that have significant meaning in order to explore potential patterns leading to current behavior that the client is trying to change or process.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0701016222