1. Gain certifications in Family Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and sports psychology.

2. Build a client roster that allows me to see between 25 and 28 clients per week and one group session per week.

3. Earn my full LCMHC.

While working at Brinkley Brown Mental Wellness, my initial goals are to grow as a counselor. I plan to expand my offerings and expertise in the areas of adolescent and family counseling. During the next year, I want to focus on gaining certificates in Family Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Then, next August, I would like to begin training for a certification in Sports/Competition Psychology.

Brinkley Brown is experiencing great growth that will allow me to expand my client roster so that I have 25 - 28 clients per week. While the practice is actively marketing, I will need to network with my existing connections in schools, churches, and primary care doctors, as well as build new networks through at least one social networking opportunity in the local area each month. I will expand my online presence by leaning into my background in writing and marketing to write a blog at least once a month. The blog will be pushed out through the Brinkley Brown website, my website, LinkedIn, and other professional social media channels.

Growing my skills and practice will allow me to earn my LCMHC during my first three years in practice. With a schedule of 25 clients a week, I should be able to reach 2000 client hours during my third year of practice. This timeline allows for a ramp-up during the first year as well as seasonal slowdowns and cancellations. It also gives me time to plan for professional training and leisure. Based on what other counselors in my practice are doing, steady bookings of 25 clients per week are very workable.

Finding a balance between growing as a provider for the community and growing a sustainable business plan is the key for me to reach my career goals and find fulfillment as a counselor.