Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Cook.
Brittany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
“The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without a purpose.” (Dr. Myles Monroe). I didn’t always know how I was going to get to where I am today, but I always knew helping people was a part of my purpose. I remember God telling me, “Brittany, you weren’t made to fit in, I created you to stand out,” and as cliché, as that phrase is, I believe it’s true in my life. I grew up in Sunnyside, so resources were limited. But, instead of looking at my situation as a disadvantage, I used it as motivation. In moments when I questioned what I was doing, where I was going, how I was going to get there, I always took comfort in knowing that God gave me all the talents I needed to succeed.
My journey began at The University of Texas at Austin in 2007. It was there I earned my B.A. in Psychology before continuing my education at Howard University, earning a M.Ed. in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. Now I am walking firmly in my purpose as a Licensed Professional Counselor while simultaneously studying to obtain my Ed.D in Professional Counseling. I opened my practice to serve everyone, but especially my black and brown brothers and sisters who desire mental health professionals who personally understands what it means to be a person of color in this country.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think my K-12 education prepared me for the rigors of college. My first year at the University of Texas (U.T.) was HARD. I had to learn how to learn on a different level if I was going to pursue my dreams. But, not only did this girl from Sunnyside graduate from the BEST college in Texas, but I am now working on a terminal degree.
That was just the first of several road bumps I would experience on this quest to walk in my purpose. I’ve always described my life as trial and error. I knew what I wanted, and I did whatever it took to get it. Never afraid, always looking forward, ready to tackle the next obstacle. After graduating from U.T., I moved to D.C. even though I only knew one person and some distant family members. Howard was an experience! Looking back, I am forever grateful for my experiences at Howard because The Yard taught me how to hustle to get what was rightfully mine. I turned 18 in Houston, but I became a woman in D.C. Real bills, real-life situations and relationships, real-life period. I grew up spiritually and mentally while in D.C. The city forced me to explore, to hurt, to love, to forgive, to dig DEEP within myself to find my value and purpose.
If I’m completely transparent, my hardest transition was between college and getting licensed. I failed my national board exam the first time around, and I risked losing half my clinical hours toward licensure with my move back to Texas. But, when God speaks, you listen, and I knew my time in D.C. had run its course. The transition taught me the real meaning of “it’s better to be obedient than to sacrifice.” Although it didn’t look like it would work out in the beginning, everything worked out perfectly in the end. With the struggles of that first transition squarely behind me, the road to opening my private practice was a breeze. It was like God pushed me right into it. I truly believe what is meant for you cannot be stopped by anyone or anything. I have received a steady flow of clients since 2016 through relationships and very little traditional marketing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ahava Counseling & Mediation Practice – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m in the business of protecting your peace. Anyone that walks through those doors knows if they don’t learn anything else, we’re setting boundaries and taking care of SELF first lol. The name AHAVA is the Hebraic word for LOVE. The word “love,” which is loosely expressed in the English language, has a special meaning in Hebrew. Ahava is derived from the Hebrew letters for “to give” & “to love.” Literally suggesting love is giving. Giving is a method we use to make a connection with another person. Giving is the condition that creates and sustains love. At Ahava, we build our Counselor-Client relationships on the foundation of love. Ahava Counseling & Mediation Practice is a safe place to get a variety of help, from therapy to mediation, to mentoring. I’m also a public speaker, and I travel around the world, empowering individuals on topics of self-love, relationships, and all things mental health. My goal is to educate, empower, and inspire. I have over eight years of experience working directly with individuals of all ages, families, and groups in the mental health field.
What sets me apart is I bring my authentic self to work every day; what you see is what you get. I am your favorite Counselor! I hold each person responsible for their growth, ages 0-100. They understand they have to do the work if they want to see change. The best part of counseling is connecting with my clients and helping them navigate through their respective journeys. Little do they know, each one of them is a hero. It takes courage to trust a stranger with your most vulnerable self. Whether its counseling or speaking, the most self-rewarding experience I’ve encountered is having that ‘aha moment! That is MY why. That moment is why I had to go through what I went through. I help others reach that moment because I know the joy of reaching it myself. I know my story is longer and deeper than this interview, so stay tuned for a book I am writing that deals with healing, not concealing!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love how diverse our city is. However, I do not like the traffic or how crowded it’s getting! We are full, thank you!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2600 South Loop West, Houston Texas 77054
- Website: www.ahavacounseling.com
- Phone: 7133760814
- Email: bcook@ahavacounseling.com
- Instagram: @bcspeaks
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AhavaCounseling/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: @bcspeakss
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