Meet Ginger Houghton of Bright Spot Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger Houghton.

Hi Ginger, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
In 2018, I was burned out. Crispy fried. Done. Working in an organization that struggled with toxic dynamics had really taken a toll on me, and I was ready for a change. I put in notice at the non-profit I was working at and starting to plug away at creating a therapy practice that focused evidence-based practices to help patients get the change they wanted and needed.

I created Bright Spot Counseling as a the antidote to a toxic workplace culture. I believe in my bones that therapists need a safe, functional workspace to be able to help others heal. I’ve spent the last 6 years investing in this idea, investing in the therapists I work with, and a creating a structure to make this vision possible.

Bright Spot Counseling works with anyone struggling with perfectionism, anxiety, depression, insomnia, or trauma that is interested in non-traditional approaches to therapy. We offer EMDR, Brainspotting, CBT for Insomnia, Clinical Hypnosis, and the Safe and Sound Protocol to help heal both patient’s bodies and brains. Most recently, we started providing Medication Management and Equine-Assisted therapy. We partner with Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary to help clients heal their nervous system in the most amazing environment alongside rescue horses.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think transitioning from being a therapist to being a therapist/business owner has been incredible, but there is definitely a steep learning curve. It’s been exciting to figure out all the pieces to make a business function and to connect with the right people when I’m outside of my depth.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bright Spot Counseling specializes in supporting patients who have gone to therapy in the past and loved their therapist but struggled to feel like they were making progress. We really invest time and effort into the types of therapy that heal the whole person. A great example of this are the EMDR Intensives that we offer. For anyone struggling with PTSD, it can be a real challenge to open up and reprocess traumatic events and then go back to work and life. We offer EMDR Intensives as half-day to full-day opportunities to really focus in on processing the most distressing thoughts or events so patients don’t have to struggle over time. We’ve seen incredible results, for example: A client came to an EMDR Intensive for 3 days and no longer met criteria for PTSD. The client was also able to successfully return to work after being out on FMLA.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how impactful the EMDR Intensives have been.

Due to demand, Bright Spot Counseling will be offering half-day Phobia Intensives in February 2024. We know how hard it is for anyone struggling with a phobia of the dentist, a medical office, dogs, spiders, airplanes, or anything else. We’re thrilled to be able to offer intensives to help people move forward with their lives without the burden of a phobia.

It would be lovely to let clients know that most services are covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Medicare, AETNA, and HAP. Finances don’t need to be a barrier to receiving great care.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Being in business for yourself can be really lonely. It’s so important to connect with other people who do what you do. In 2018, I started a networking group called The Therapist Collective to offer connection, support, and networking opportunities for therapists in Metro Detroit. The support and connections I’ve built have been essential in developing my business and helping me maintain my sanity.

If you’re a small business owner, check out the business coaching through the Small Business Association. It’s incredibly supportive and comprehensive and will give you a whole new perspective on your business.