Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hope Gilchrist. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hope , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Yes, there was a defining moment in my career. I originally went to college as a Business Management major with a plan to open a daycare center after college however after 4 classes I started to get bored with the courses and not feel the connection to that major. I originally felt lost because I thought business was the direction I wanted to take with my career. In order to figure things out I started taking classes in other majors and still couldn’t feel a connection to most other majors. I felt defeated and was close to leaving school and going back home. My last effort in trying to figure it out was taking a course in the psychology department and there I found a connection and an energy that I had never had. This was it! The more courses I took in the field the more I was able to identify my passion for helping others. The person who suggested that I take the course was really in the right place at the right time because I was definitely trying to figure out a plan B. Today I am working in an area that I am passionate about and to my surprise also a business owner. It was not until I wrote my 3rd book that I was able to look back at my journey and really see that turn that my life had taken and how I stayed the course even when I wasn’t certain. I almost gave up on me but I kept pushing and it all came full circle and led me to where I am in my career today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a private practice owner and mental health clinician I help people work through some of the toughest stages/traumas in their lives to try to get to the best version of themselves. I educate people on mental health while trying to decrease the stigma connected to mental health. I believe in what I do and know that therapy works. I know that if people are in need of healing and they connect with the right therapist for them they can reach the healing they desire.

I also provide trainings and work shops on topics related to understanding mental health, burnout, emotional IQ because mental health doesn’t just show up in the home it can show up in all areas of our lives. The work place is an area in which I am trying to have mental health talked more about and help them understand that people who are emotionally stable have stronger production and increase positive outcomes.

Mental wellness is always the end goal no matter whether I am the therapist or the person training a team on mental health.

One of the things I am most proud of is becoming an international best selling author and having written 3 books that are helpful for others on navigating different journeys in their lives and my passion of decreasing the incidence of bullying in schools. I am proud of myself for my drive in spite of the challenges I have faced as a child and throughout my life. I maintain a keep it real motto while remaining professional throughout the process. I trust that God has led me on the path he has chosen for me and the more I follow him the more great things happen in my life.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I have for growing my clientele is being my genuine self at all times, I am relatable and I exude positive energy which attracts my ideal client. Once my ideal client works with me they share with others their experiences which encourages others to reach out to me. Even if I can’t help a client I will often connect them to someone who can. I have found that those clients I can’t help will still refer others to me because of my easy going nature and my willingness to be a help to them.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was negative self talk and that I wasn’t good enough. As a child I dealt with self esteem issues and oftentimes it caused a fear of getting things done or allowing myself to experience things that could take me to higher places. The fear of what people would say and my feelings being hurt if I didn’t make the cut along with the thought of not being good enough caused my voice to be silenced. This thought process I am sure caused me to miss out on a lot of opportunities and stifled my growth process. The more I combated, challenged, unlearned those thoughts and did not give in to imposter syndrome the more I see growth within myself and the opportunities that come my way. I have created a mantra of saying to myself “I am good enough” which is a booster for me engaging with others and building my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hopegilchristenterprisesllc.com
• Instagram: instagram/hopethecounselor1
• Facebook: Hope Gilchrist Enterprises
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-dickerson-gilchrist-lcpc-68a4a619/
• Youtube: @hopegilchristlcpc3932