Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Vinski.
Hi Erin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I started as a social worker ten years ago. I’ve worked for a couple of the different child welfare agencies around Jacksonville, doing counseling and sometimes on emergency calls. I loved every role that I held and the individuals I worked with along the way. I worked in the public school system in Duval and Clay counties and have probably visited a home to do in-home therapy in just about every neighborhood across Duval County. I have done sessions at the detention center and on park benches. My experience has given me such an appreciation for our city and everyone from different walks of life who come together to make it what it is.
From working in foster care and adoption, teaching prospective adoptive parents, and doing therapy with teens in care to running groups at an addiction recovery center. It’s been quite the journey, and while I didn’t always understand the why behind the changes that took place throughout my career, I can see now, looking back, how it all came together to prepare me to meet so many clients where they’re at in their journey with the perspective I may not have had otherwise.
After I had my son, my schedule changed, and I prioritized getting my license so I could work in private practice as an LCSW. This offered the stability and flexibility of a schedule I needed during this season of life. I was inspired daily, thinking of what I would want for my practice, and in January of this year, I decided it was time to begin that adventure. My practice is small now, offering one day a week and solely telehealth, but I am already connecting with amazing clients, which is an incredible feeling in my own space. I plan to eventually get certified as an integrative health specialist to support clients in resolving internal health issues that may affect their mental/emotional well-being. I would also love to incorporate support groups for foster parents in the future, as that’s always been a big part of my heart.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While I gained so much insight from every role, some took a heavier toll on me than others. If young therapists don’t have the support they need or the opportunity to be in therapy themselves, being thrust into community work at a heavy pace on their own can lead to burnout. Understanding burnout, necessary boundaries, and caring for my mental health changed the trajectory for me as a therapist. I would not still be in this career if some tough early years hadn’t led me to either quit or do a deep dive into practicing the self-care I teach.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Horizon Counseling and Wellness?
Horizon is a small private practice offering telehealth therapy, with plans to expand to in-person. We provide a non-judgemental, safe space to unpack struggles and gain insight on steps towards inner healing.
We treat several different issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and addiction recovery. I am best known for the relationship that I build with clients. I thrive working with clients who have had a negative experience with therapy or are hesitant to try it. I often receive feedback that in the past, they have felt just listened to but were seeking insight on why they felt the way they felt and constructive feedback on steps to take towards healing, and I think they receive that in counseling with me. I am most proud of this because I know how hard it is to come back from a bad experience with being vulnerable, and it’s so important to me to preserve not only people’s relationship with therapy but also their sense of safety and security in stepping into vulnerability in that space.
That’s what our brand is all about; Horizon, by definition, is “the limit of a person’s mental perception, experience, or interest”. My goal is to broaden clients’ horizons of what they feel is possible to achieve in healing. People oftenPeople come in with self-limiting beliefs, even if they are open to doing the work. Horizon’s goal is to expand that perception of what you can do through healing. Whether that be through CBT talk therapy, learning DBT mindfulness/grounding skills, or utilizing EMDR treatment to address prior trauma, we are invested in reaching healing on the Horizon.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
I was so fortunate that my boss, Selina Beenen, was willing to take me under her wing as she began her private practice, Beenen Therapy Group. Coming from social services and community mental health, I had a huge learning curve. She was patient with me along the way and confident in putting her name behind me from the start. I’ve learned so much alongside her over the last two years and plan to continue there as we have such a fantastic team.
Pricing:
- 15 minute consultation- free
- individual/family member session (50 min)- $120
- EMDR session- $120
Contact Info:
- Instagram: horizon_counseling
Image Credits
Personal photo image credit: Faith Tate Photography
