We were lucky to catch up with Alex Hoffman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alex, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

As far as my career is concerned, I have always known I wanted to work with people! While completing my undergrad, I had a wake up call that despite my big ambitions, nursing school was not going to be for me. So, as we do when we are feeling lost, I called someone that could help me find a path. In this case, it was my Dad! He proposed that if you are going to work for the rest of your life, you might as well enjoy what you are doing. He suggested that I nail down two things: what am I GOOD at and what am I PASSIONATE about. To which, I knew exactly the answers: I am good at people, and I am passionate about building connections! Initially, while in school, I was able to translate this into events and the music industry! I began work with various businesses around the Austin area learning what it takes to build a successful event from the bottom up. Throughout my undergrad, I found myself working for the Seton Foundation helping to raise money for the NICU!

My first job out of college, I was working in the non-profit sector working for Dr. Oz’s non-profit organization called HealthCorps. The placement was in West Palm Beach, Florida where I knew a whopping – no one! I moved out to a new place and took on a job that had me providing health programming in an under resourced school. During this time, I was afforded the opportunity to act as a mentor for the students in a local high school surrounding: mental, physical, and nutritional wellness. While I loved working in the school system, I found it came with a lot of red tape! With that, I decided to move forward with pursuing my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling back in my hometown of Houston, Texas.

While completing my degree, I found myself working through the course of my program in the Social Emotional Support Classroom in one of the local school districts. I played into my experience and passions in finding this position as a paraprofessional. I worked closely with kiddos that struggled with regulation throughout the day and got my bearings working more closely with mental health in a more hands-on way. Even so, I was still running into similar issues I had faced in the school system prior. So, I pivoted to private practice! I was very fortunate to have been able to join a group practice in the greater Houston area that would be the predecessor for starting my own private practice two years later!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am as human as they come! I practice what I preach and I love the work I do. I truly believe it is a privilege to share peoples safe space. My story is your traditional middle class American story. I grew up with what some would argue is a very traditional upbringing! Even so, my childhood was riddled with opportunities to build grit and resilience. I’ve been on both sides of the clipboard so I know the work that is required to build the life we want for ourselves. My clientele is filled with individuals who just may be at a loss for a person to confide in or a place to start in tackling life’s challenges. Most of my clients are going through life transitions and seeking to find a better understanding of how they got to where they are.
Some of the populations I work most closely with are LGBTQIA+ community members, couples, and individuals! My specialties are trauma, attachment, relationships, and identity exploration. My therapy practice is unique because I leverage all my clients strengths to help them create the lives they wish to create!

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Undoubtedly. As cheesy greasy as it may sound, I absolutely love what I do and I feel so privileged to bear witness to my clients journey’s in life. Having been on both sides, I know just how difficult it can be to open up and really trust in the guidance of a therapist. I have the upmost faith in my clients ability to make the best decisions for THEIR own paths and I am simply here to help them work through those forks in the road.
Furthermore, I truly believe that all of my experiences have led to me be and continue to push me towards becoming the best person and therapist I can possibly be.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

In no particular order – authenticity, creativity, open-mindedness, boundaries, grit, and honesty. Thriving in this field can be hard because as therapists, we are holding space for some of the most trying times in peoples lives. As a means to succeed, I think the qualities the therapist themselves hold can be some of the most useful tools! Authenticity helps to connect with clients and keeps you connected to your personal values and what drives you to be in a helping profession. Creativity and open-mindedness are key for helping to develop creative solutions and bolstering new perspectives. Boundaries are essential for maintaining a healthy working relationship with our clients and protects clinicians from carrying others trials and tribulations too closely. Grit keeps us going and acts as a reminder of what we are asking our clients to work towards. Finally, honesty is absolutely essential in helping clients meet their goals and building a true bond between client and therapist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://safespacehealigncollective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safespacehealingcollective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/safespacehealingcollective/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/safe-space-healing-collective-llc

Image Credits

https://www.instagram.com/paytondoneyphotography/?hl=en