Today we’d like to introduce you to JOHN BATES.
Hi JOHN, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve had a variety of careers throughout my life. I slowly discovered that I found the most satisfaction in jobs that allowed me to help others. Working for SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department allowed me to pursue my Master’s Degree and opened the doors to becoming a counselor. I truly appreciate the opportunity to work one-on-one with my clients, listening to their struggles, finding common ground, and helping them find a better path forward. I’m a Christian and I’m able to offer my faith as an additional avenue to clients who want that. My faith also allows me to empathize and care for my clients who hold different beliefs as well.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have certainly been challenges. I attended grad school at night while working a full-time job. That was challenging. It was important to take advantage of the opportunity so I pushed myself and graduated with a 4.0 average. After school, I put off taking the licensure exam for a while because I was unsure about how ot pay for the supervision hours that I would need to get my full licensure. (To become a licensed counselor, you have to pass the licensure exam, then work under a licensed supervisor for roughly two years. Most of the time you have to pay the supervisor for the hours they devote). Fortunately, I was able to find a position where I could work part-time, while still maintaining my full-time job, which not only provided supervision hours but also paid some extra money. When I finally had the license, I was hesitant about striking out on my own in my own practice because change can be scary and risky. I decided that it was something that I had to do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love my job, as I’ve mentioned before. I love the fact that each client relationship is different. I think that a good therapist can’t use a cookie-cutter approach. I have to listen to, relate to, and adapt to each client. What I say and how I say something to one client may be very different than the next. I love the flexibility and creativity that comes with that. I also like getting to use information and lessons learned from other aspects of my life to inform the therapeutic process.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I’ve been practicing martial arts since I was 15 years old. I very much remember the first time I walked into my first dojo. I remember meeting my teacher, who became a huge influence in my life. I remember being facninated by learning the skills, and I remember the camaraderie of “shared suffering.” Many of the lessons I learned through martial arts are much deeper than the physical skills, and as a teacher and counselor, I have been able to use those lessons to help others.
Pricing:
- My base rate is $140 per hour.
- I accept several different forms of insurance.
- I offer sliding scale pricing, when needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wayfindertherapyservices.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574646804472
