A large part of what makes the Golden Thread community so special is the diversity of voices and perspectives from our readers. This month, we’re featuring Hunter Cook, LPC/MHSP, ACS.  Hunter (he/him) is a licensed professional counselor with over a decade’s experience in the field of mental health, holding licenses in both Tennessee and Virginia. He is the owner and a psychotherapist at Dimensions Counseling Center in Johnson City, TN, where he provides telehealth psychotherapy services to individuals and couples, specializing in anxiety and trauma related diagnoses. In addition to his clinical work, he also provides clinical licensure supervision for those seeking LPC/MHSP licensure in Tennessee. He holds two master’s degrees: one in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Morehead State University and another in Management & Leadership from Western Governors University. Hunter is a Certified EMDR Therapist and fully trained in The Gottman Method. Hunter is also actively involved in professional organizations, serving as the Treasurer and a Co-Regional Representative for the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association (TLPCA).

Take a look at our full interview below.

What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?

I enjoy baking and love a good bowtie! 

Can you share your journey to becoming a therapist? What drew you to the profession?

My intent after high school was to become a medical doctor. I went to East Tennessee State University as a pre-med student. I learned, fairly quickly, what that would involve. Specifically, chemistry, physics, and a bunch of other mathematics courses, none of which were my strong suit. Then, I took my Intro to Psychology class. I found psychology fascinating, and by the end of the semester, had changed my major to clinical psychology. I found the study of the mind, brain, and people to be fascinating, plus it’s a field where I would be able to be a helper.

After I earned my bachelor's degree, I went on to earn my master’s degree in clinical/counseling psychology from Morehead State University. At this point I knew that this was my calling, to help others. I went on to work with children in a group home, and then a juvenile detention center. I enjoyed working with them, but it didn’t quite feel right.

Once I received my full licensure as a professional counselor in Tennessee, I transitioned to working in a large group private practice. I began to gain further insight into who I was personally and professionally, as well as refining my understanding of purpose. I realized it wasn’t just helping people that I enjoyed, it was that I was helping people grow, change, and live a more fulfilling life.

The thing that's allowed me to be good at boundary setting was learning to sit with the discomfort of not being able to be available at all times.

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If you could offer one piece of wisdom to newer therapists, what would it be?

This may be more of a 3 for 1. Stay curious, be open to feedback, and learn to sit with discomfort. Stay Curious; never stop learning. Take workshops, talk to experienced folks, and even learn about stuff outside of the field. Ask questions, even the dumb ones. Get good at receiving feedback. Seek it out and don’t take it personally; break it down and learn from it. And the more you ask for it, the less scary it becomes. Plus, it stops you from making bigger mistakes down the line. And remember, every screw-up is a chance to learn something new. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. This takes time and you will have times when you aren’t able to sit with it. But start by acknowledging the unpleasant feelings, instead of running from them. You build up your tolerance, you get stronger. 

Do you have a daily ritual or habit that grounds you before seeing clients or between sessions?

I sit down, get a bowl of yogurt, cut up some fruit for it, and just enjoy the morning till I get to walk into my office to start the day. 

What’s one underrated or overlooked therapeutic skill you think more clinicians should focus on?

Noticing their own feelings and responses during sessions. This can be a key for being able to help the person have insight into how they may be impacting others. Not only that, but it can be a good indicator if you need to do some therapy work yourself. You want to show up as close to whole as you can for your client. We all have rough days, but we need to take care of ourselves too. 

I realized it wasn’t just helping people that I enjoyed, it was that I was helping people grow, change, and live a more fulfilling life.

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What do you do to take care of your own mental and emotional well-being?

Photography and plants. I have grown to love aerial and nature photography. It gets me out and exercising, but it also is a way that I can exercise a different creative part of my brain. My plants are something I'm able to enjoy daily; I get to go look at the new growth, give them a little water and just enjoy the nature inside the house. 

How do you set boundaries around your time, especially with client communication or documentation?

I've learned what times of day that I can be a good therapist, and the times that I don't show up well. The thing that's allowed me to be good at boundary setting was learning to sit with the discomfort of not being able to be available at all times. I still have the urge to answer an e-mail or message a client back, but, assuming it's not emergent, I let it sit till the next time I'm "on."

You want to show up as close to whole as you can for your client. We all have rough days, but we need to take care of ourselves too. 

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How do you maintain a sense of meaning and motivation in your work over time?

I have learned (through lots of anxiety) to niche down in who I serve. I'm able to work with people that feel right for me. I can see my work be more effective more quickly and I don't feel drained by the struggles that I just don't feel equipped for.