Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Brittany Turner.
Dr. Brittany, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began with a deep curiosity about people and their stories. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Olivet, followed by a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Doctor of Social Work degree from Capella University. Throughout my career, I have worked across a variety of settings including corrections, hospital systems, addiction treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice, which has given me a broad understanding of how mental health, physical health, and social factors intersect.
Today, I wear several hats. I am a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, educator, and the Founding Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at The University of Olivet. In private practice, I help individuals and couples navigate trauma, relationships, anxiety, life transitions, and personal growth. In higher education, I have had the privilege of building a social work program from the ground up, helping prepare the next generation of social workers to enter the field with competence, compassion, and a commitment to social justice.
Alongside my professional work, I am passionate about community wellness and creating spaces where people feel connected to themselves and others. Whether through teaching, therapy, research, speaking engagements, or wellness initiatives like Honey Haus Pilates, my goal remains the same: to help people heal, grow, and live more fully.
Looking back, every role I’ve held has reinforced one lesson—that meaningful change happens when people feel seen, supported, and empowered. That belief continues to guide everything I do today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for most meaningful journeys.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to build while simultaneously becoming. Many of the opportunities I’ve been fortunate to have—whether launching a social work program, growing a private practice, conducting research, or developing wellness initiatives—didn’t come with a blueprint. There were many moments where I was learning in real time, making decisions with limited resources, and trusting myself to figure things out along the way.
As a social worker and educator, I also work in professions that are deeply rewarding but emotionally demanding. Supporting others through trauma, grief, illness, and life transitions requires a great deal of emotional presence, and I’ve had to learn the importance of boundaries, self-care, and sustainability. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and that lesson has been one of the most important of my career.
I’ve also faced the challenges that many women experience in leadership—navigating self-doubt, overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning that I don’t have to shrink myself to make others comfortable. Over time, I’ve become more confident in my voice, my expertise, and my ability to create meaningful change.
Looking back, I wouldn’t remove the struggles because they shaped the person and professional I am today. Every obstacle strengthened my resilience, deepened my empathy, and reinforced my belief that growth often happens outside of our comfort zones.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Dr. Brittany Turner Psychotherapeutic Services was founded on the belief that healing should be both clinically sound and deeply human. My practice provides psychotherapy services for individuals and couples who are navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, anxiety, trauma, grief, identity development, and personal growth. While I work with a wide range of concerns, I have particular expertise in trauma-informed care, relationship dynamics, complex mental health presentations, medical social work, and helping clients navigate the intersection of mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
What sets my practice apart is my ability to bridge clinical expertise with authenticity. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I can challenge them while also creating a space where they feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported. My approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive. I believe people are the experts of their own lives, and therapy works best when we combine evidence-based interventions with curiosity, compassion, and a strong therapeutic relationship.
I am also unique in that my professional experience spans healthcare systems, corrections, addiction treatment, higher education, and private practice. These experiences have given me a broad perspective on the realities people face and allow me to support clients from a holistic, biopsychosocial, and strengths-based lens.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of creating a practice that feels accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in authenticity. I never wanted therapy to feel cold, clinical, or intimidating. I wanted it to feel like a place where people could show up exactly as they are and begin the work of healing without judgment.
More than anything, I want readers to know that therapy is not reserved for moments of crisis. It can be a space for self-discovery, growth, strengthening relationships, building confidence, and creating the life you want to live. My goal is to help people move beyond simply surviving and toward a life that feels meaningful, connected, and aligned with who they truly are.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t think of myself as a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe in taking calculated risks when they align with my values, purpose, and long-term vision.
One of the biggest risks I have taken was stepping into opportunities before I felt completely ready. Whether it was pursuing my doctoral degree, transitioning into higher education, building a social work program from the ground up, launching a private practice, or creating community wellness initiatives, there was never a moment when I had all the answers. In many ways, each of those experiences required me to trust my preparation, embrace uncertainty, and learn as I went.
For me, risk is less about gambling and more about growth. I have learned that some of the most transformative opportunities in life exist on the other side of discomfort. If we wait until we feel completely confident or perfectly prepared, we often miss the very experiences that help us grow.
That doesn’t mean I ignore fear. In fact, I think fear is often information. I simply try not to let it make decisions for me. I ask myself whether a decision aligns with who I am becoming, not just who I am today. If the answer is yes, I am usually willing to take the leap.
Looking back, many of the things I am most proud of began as risks. Building a career that spans clinical practice, higher education, research, leadership, and entrepreneurship was never part of a carefully mapped-out plan. It evolved because I was willing to say yes to opportunities that stretched me.
My perspective on risk today is simple: growth requires courage. There is no guarantee of success, but there is almost always a guarantee that you will learn something valuable about yourself in the process. I would rather take a thoughtful risk and grow than spend my life wondering what might have happened if I had tried.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drbrittanyturner.com
- Instagram: @honeydippcafe
