My advanced degrees include an Education Specialist in Community Agency Counseling and a Masters degree in Agency Counseling from Jacksonville State University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (#0856), a National Certified Counselor, and a Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor. I have been self-employed in private practice full time since 2009. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, the Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA), the South Carolina Counseling Association, Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, Association for Play Therapy and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. My primary practice is in counseling children and adolescents, parents, and families in areas related to behavior modification, social and coping skills, relationship issues, and trauma. I offer individual and group counseling services for children through age 18. In addition to working with children, I offer counseling services to adults with depression, anxiety, mood swings, and grief that can disrupt daily life and relationships. I provide counseling services and therapy with couples, including premarital counseling. Within the community, I lead seminars and groups for churches, universities, businesses, public schools, and other interested groups. Most of my time currently, is spent providing supervision and trainings throughout the U.S. and internationally. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), the Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA), the South Carolina Counseling Association (SCCA), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC), and the Association for Play Therapy (APT). I enjoy reading, traveling, and all things coffee! For more information on my passion and experience, please look around.   Contact me: garrett@garrettcounseling.com  

Jacksonville State University , Jacksonville, AL Education Specialist – Community and Agency Counseling	Graduated 8/2010
Jacksonville State University , Jacksonville, AL Master’s of Science – Community and Agency Counseling	Graduated 12/2004
Samford University , Birmingham, AL Bachelor’s of Arts – Human Development and Family Studies	Graduated 5/2003

SC Licensed Professional Counselor #6972	October 2018
AL Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor #0856	September 2016
Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor #S1838	June 2015
Board Certified Counselor NBCC	October 2010

Brave Play, Founder Spartanburg, SC Provide consulting, professional development, and supervision throughout Southeast US for mental health professionals.	May 2017-Present
Garrett Counseling​, Executive Director Jacksonville, AL Conducts counseling, assessments, education, and consultation services Manages a team of professionals in 2 locations, covering 8 Counties Conducts day-­to­-day business duties for small business owner	October 2009 – Present
Making A Difference​, INC, Contract Counselor Anniston, AL Performed individual and family counseling / drug and parenting assessments	July 2008 – October 2009
Jacksonville State University​, Clerical Assistant – EDRS Jacksonville, AL Office support, research, textbook ordering Distance learning support Livetext – CACREP	February 2007 – October 2009
Starbucks Coffee​, Assistant Store Manager – SM Ready Auburn, AL and Oxford, AL Coffee Master­ and District Coffee Master Specialist Supervision of 30+ partners	August 2005 – November 2007
New Directions​, Substance Abuse Therapist – Outpatient Anniston, AL Provided Group Therapy – 2 groups, 3 times a week Provided Individual Therapy Assessments and Screenings Dual Diagnosis *Short-­term employment due to life partner relocating for work	February 2005 – August 2005
February 2005 – August 2005
Jacksonville State University​, Graduate Assistant of EDRS Jacksonville, AL Conduct research and seminars with counseling faculty Advising graduate and undergraduate students in department Provided supervision of student workers Office support	August 2003 – December 2004
Children’s Hospital​, Clinical Neuropsychological Testing Administrator for HC Birmingham, AL Test Huntington patients for verbal skill increase Organize findings of study for future research	2001 – 2005

My Philosophy of Teaching

Authentic learning and engagement is a vulnerable experience for both the student and the teacher. I view it as my role to provide a safe space for all students to develop themselves in a learning environment further that embraces diversity and inclusivity. From my teaching methods to my course assignments, each should communicate the importance of connection, relationship, and safety for all through interactive and experiential approaches.

Students who take my courses should come away with more knowledge, new skills to enhance their practice, renewed energy, and meaningful connections. In today’s fast-paced world and complex mental health systems, many counseling practitioners feel overwhelmed and experience burnout and other health problems. My approach is designed to offer students a safe space with unique opportunities to nourish their personal and professional selves as a means to model appropriate clinical care for years to come.

Syllabus

• SampleSyllabus.pdf
  

Trainings

My work as a clinical supervisor includes working with those seeking certification as a Registered Play Therapist, and those seeking supervision required by a graduate internship or practicum. My qualifications to provide clinical supervision include RPTS, LPCS, Board Certified Counselor, ongoing continuing education, and post-master’s work in supervision.

Please visit my website for more information about my practice and/or qualifications. There you will find my curriculum vita, which further details my professional training and experience.

View of Supervision

Simply stated, the purpose of clinical supervision is to help you develop the skills necessary to become a competent clinician and to also protect your clients during this learning period.

There are a multitude of theoretical orientations regarding clinical supervision. I view supervision as a developmental and competency based process —– particularly with counselors at the beginning of their careers —- in which supervisees gain increasing competence throughout the process of supervision. Goals typically include the following:

• Develop competence in standard mental health assessment and treatment techniques
• Develop ability to conceptualize cases (i.e. synthesizing all client data into a unified treatment plan)
• Develop a solid understanding of theoretical orientations and match orientation to counseling practice
• Recognize and respond appropriately to multicultural issues and ethical issues
• Develop a good sense of counselor self-awareness (e.g., identifying professional strengths and weaknesses, identifying and responding to countertransference issues).

Evaluation Process

When setting initial goals in supervision with supervisees I often refer to the Therapist Evaluation Checklist by Hall-Marley. With assistance from this form we will establish agreed upon goals for supervision. Progress is reviewed regularly throughout the supervisory meetings. I will also write brief session notes after each supervisory session, and I may provide a formal written evaluation for you when supervision is finished, as required by ABEC. If needed, a Remedial Plan will be implemented with supervisee and supervisor.

South Carolina Counseling Association - Annual Conference “Diversity in Play Therapy: Using the Cultural-Formulation-Interview in Play Therapy”	February 2019
AMPED 3rd Annual Hokkaido, Japan- International Mental Health Conference “Mental Health in Rural Areas: Decreasing stigmas, changing family cycles, and building individual strengths through utilization of play therapy in educational and clinical mental health settings”	January 2019
Alabama Play Therapy Association - Workshop Speaker “Play Therapy Interventions for Children and Adolescents”	July 2018
ALSCA 4th Annual Critical Issues Conference Requested by Conference Chair: “Leveling Up Your Game: Interactive play therapy techniques for school and agency mental health professionals”	May 2018
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors New Orleans, Louisiana 2018 International Conference “Play Therapy for Couples and Families: Techniques to increase attachment and communication”	February 2018
Centar Proventus, Zagreb, Croatia “Sand Tray and Play Therapy: Basics and Beyond”	June 2017
ALSCA 3rd Annual Critical Issues Conference “Interactive Play Therapy Techniques”	May 2017
Alabama Counseling Association State Annual Conference “Interactive Play Therapy for School and Agency - Round 3” “Using Sand Tray in Play Therapy”	2016
Alabama Counseling Association State Annual Conference “Interactive Play Therapy for School and Agency - Round 2” “What Would You Do? Experiencing Ethics in Real Time”	2015
Alabama Counseling Association State Annual Conference “Play Therapy Techniques for Agency and School”	2014
ALCA Chapter V Spring Workshop, “Getting Our Hands Dirty” "Play (Therapy) through the Lifespan"	2012
Alabama Counseling Association State Annual Conference "Balancing the Ethics of Social Networking and Counselor Morale" “Chi Sigma Iota” presentation­­ -- Co-­Presenter	2011
ALCA State Annual Conference November 2009 "Mentoring Handbook" – co presenter with Dr. Tommy Turner	2009

King, J. H., & Garrett, A. (2018): Pearson correlation coefficient between Bessel van der Kolk's DTD & DSM-5’s PTSD. Unpublished manuscript.

Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA)
Historian for ALCA ­ Executive Committee	2015
Historian for ALCA Chapter V	2013
President for ALCA Chapter V	2012
Chapter V Awards Committee	2011

Recipient of the David Capuzzi Outstanding Scholar in CES Scholarship Award	2018
City of Jacksonville Beautification Award (for our therapy garden)	2017
Calhoun County Garden Award (for our therapy garden)	2017
Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA) Outstanding Practitioner Award	2014
Jacksonville State University Counselor Education Alumna of the Year	2011
Starbucks Coffee Company, Awarded Bravo Award District Level	2007
Starbucks Coffee Company, Awarded Knowledgeably Award District Level	2006

Practicum and Internship Site Supervisor JSU Educational Resources Department - Supervising Master’s level counseling JSU Department of Psychology - Supervising undergraduate psychology students	2011 - Current
JSU Counselor Education Program Advisory Council	2009 - ­Current
Parenting with Purpose ​ GCC provides a parenting therapy group that teaches nurturing and effective parenting skills, while providing therapeutic space to make difficult changes.	2009­ - Current
Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) ­ Chi Theta Chapter member Chi Theta Chapter President Organized First Annual Winter "Meeting the Needs of Sexual Minority Youth" Workshop with 50+ attendees; Planned and Organized Resource Fair of local agencies; Organized "Campaign Awareness" where Chapter CSI members distributed monthly publications around a variety of counseling issues; Organized membership drive 2 years – increased over 150% in membership at local chapter; Key player in CSI service project­ Creating Awareness through Service Learning Experiences (CASLE); Currently Serving as Chi Theta Chapter ­Past President ALCA November 2011 – co presenter for CSI session	2010­ - 2011
Calhoun County Quality Assurance Team Department of Human Resources	2010 - ­2015
Calhoun County Juvenile Drug Court Program GCC provides two team members (free of charge) to lead group counseling sessions and provide family support services as directed by Judge and probation office for at-risk teens.	2013­ - 2014
Community Care Garden ​ Work with local farmers market to establish “Kids Garden” and teach emotion management and basic problem solving skills to children and parents. Increases connection between child­ - parent.	2013 - ­2014
Calhoun County Christian Women's Job Corp Lead support and guidance groups for women seeking GED and employment skills	2010 - ­2013
Jacksonville State University ­ Psychology Department ­ PSY Club “Future You - Future Profession” with Q & A	2013 - ­2014
Jacksonville State University ­ Psychology Department ­ PSY 100 “Basics of Play Therapy” with Q & A	2013
ALCA Chapter V Spring Workshop, “Getting Our Hands Dirty” "Play (Therapy) through the Lifespan"	2012
Mentoring Mondays ­ Source Center at Lagrange College, GA Q & A on Counseling and Private Practice	2012
Gadsden Cultural Arts Center ​ Served on Board of Directors for Imagination Place	2008 - 2011
Starbucks Coffee​, Oxford, AL “Radio­thon” with 95.5 for Children’s Hospital, fundraised over $1,000 to benefit the hospital, coordinated over 15 volunteers, implemented “1st​ ​Annual Starbucks Art Auction”, raised over $2,500 to benefit the Arts at a local high school, coordinated over 25 volunteers	2006 - 2007
American Cancer Association Mid­South Division and Calhoun and Cherokee County Support Meetings "Personality and Survival: Increasing Communication Skills and Establishing Support"	​2011
Jacksonville State University Women's History Month "Assertiveness 101 ­ Reflecting on the Empowering Women of History"	2011 2011
Department of Human Resources​ "BIG ROCKS ­ Time Management" "Crack In The Vase: Increasing Knowledge on Four Common Disorders in DHR Clients."	2011
Active Minds Student Organization (JSU Division) "Assertiveness Training"	2010­ - 2012
Jacksonville State University Freshman LS100 Class "Why is College so Stressful?" "Personality and College Success"	2009 - ­2010