Biography
Brad is currently working as a counselor in private practice, Wildwood Mind and Body, which he opened in mid-2023. The path he took to opening a private practice was less than direct. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Western Oregon University in 2009 while thinking he wanted to be a PE teacher or a chiropractor or something else that involved the human body. He then got a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialty in sports marketing from the University of Oregon in 2015 when working in sport marketing sounded fun. He enjoyed his teaching and marketing experiences, but decided to pursue something that was calling his heart, counseling, at UWS in 2020. He is now retired from being a professional student.
What made you choose UWS over other schools and/or how did your degree from UWS prepare you for your current role?
UWS has been on my radar since I considered becoming a chiropractor way back in 2009 (I hear it is somewhat famous for producing chiropractors?). Fast forward to early 2020, the world came to screeching halt. To me, there was no better time to get back to school and pursue something difficult. UWS came back on my radar because I was looking for a degree program that was fully online. The school being Portland was a bonus in case I could use the facilities in any way. I also loved that it integrated an element of sports performance into curriculum as this is a population I love working with. What sold me on the program, however, was my first meeting with Dr. Rose, director of the CMHC program.
I was raised by a teacher, have worked as a teacher from elementary school up to an adjunct professor for college undergrad courses. I have deep respect and admiration for educators. In all of my educational pursuits, I have had a small handful of people that standout to me as truly wonderful educators, so much so that I would say they changed my life. It was clear in meeting with Dr. Rose that she is this type of educator, the type that might change your life. It was also clear that she had a clear vision of what it takes to be a successful counselor. Knowing that she was the director of the program, I assumed she would also hire like minded professors to teach the classes in the program. I am confident in saying, and this is a rarity for me, that I was absolutely right. The professors at UWS quickly became mentors.
UWS prepared me for being a counselor in private practice by emphasizing that I continue my development as a human alongside my development as a counselor. In fact, one of my takeaways from the program is that these are inextricably linked. I don’t think you can be a successful counselor by simply reading books about counseling, disorders, human development, etc. Success I have experienced alongside clients has come in moments that I have been able to blend my experience of being a human with my knowledge of counseling and whatever issues we may be working on in the therapy room. The blending, or the creation of a space where clients can be seen as they are, is what I learned while at UWS in various ways and continue to learn now.
What joys and challenges have surprised you in your position?
One of the greatest joys I experience is laughing with my clients. I have noticed there comes a point in the therapeutic process where clients begin to laugh at their patterns (we all that them). This fills me with joy because, in my experience, this can reflect a true turning point for clients. Another joy I experience is how much I learn from my clients, and this can be about anything. Whether they realize it or not, I learn as much from my clients as they do from me (hopefully).
I honestly can’t say that I have been surprised by too much because I worked had to not have too many expectations. Building a client base has been difficult, but I knew that could be the case. I love experiencing everything as it comes to me, so not holding on to expectations helps keep me present with what is happening.
What does a typical work day look like for you now?
Noting too exciting happens on work days! If I am seeing clients, I review notes from the previous session before the current session. I also check treatment plans, and I might need to prepare an in-session exercise before hand. What really helps in my preparation for the work day is taking care of myself, and I don’t compromise on that. For example, in the morning on a client day, I might spend 20 minutes with my dogs while drinking coffee on the couch while listening to a podcast. After a day with several clients, I typically get quiet for 20-30 minutes, listen to music, and, of course, spend more time with my dog