Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittini Mckee.
Brittini, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, my story starts back at the young age of fifteen, when I started my first job. I was a Member Service Representative for a Community Center. I would greet and talk with people, which came naturally for me. People began sharing personal information about themselves to me and I would often hear comments such as, “I’ve never told anyone that before” and “I don’t know why I feel comfortable telling you”. At an early age, I was listening to strangers express their thoughts and feelings, while giving them motivation to help them look at different perspectives. Although counseling was something that came naturally, I did not know then that it later would become my career and passion. As a freshman in College, I switched majors several times and they all were in helping fields. I was still counseling strangers at random places like coffee shops, grocery stores, and the mall. People just would start talking about one thing which eventually led to additional conversation, resulting in them bearing it all to me. It wasn’t until my junior year of college that I realized I wanted to be “that person”, the one who helps people in a significant way.
A friend of mine, in college, shared her experience with me of growing up in foster care. My friend mentioned how her Social Worker told her she can go to College for free and always encouraged her to do great and be great. That motivation helped my friend pursue college and make a life for her and her brother, which eventually brought happiness and joy. After hearing her story of how one person changed her life for the better, it was at that moment I knew, “I wanted to be that person”.
I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology, because I really loved learning how society plays a major role in how people react and behave. I continued my education and obtained a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. During my time in graduate school, I had an amazing supervisor who always encouraged and educated me in so many ways; she was a mentor to me. While in grad school, I had two small children, a teen daughter and a husband while working full time. It was a challenge and extremely hard! I had one goal and one goal only, and that was to “Not Quit”. No matter how hard it got with the sleepless nights, the residency for a week with no money, having three kids, and at the time a troubled marriage. No matter what, “Do Not Quit” was my goal and the motivation behind it was to “be that person”.
While in graduate school, I was working as a Substance Abuse Program Leader at a Prison. At the prison, I counselled women and also worked full-time doing an unpaid internship that allowed me to provide therapy for those in need of mental health support. I worked with kids that struggled with anxiety and depression from the pain their parents caused, because of their parents’ addictions or dangerous behaviors. Additionally, I also was working with women in the prison who were also struggling with anxiety and depression and their lack of coping skills led them to be incarcerated. I enjoyed both jobs and every day I felt like I was helping by just being there and actively listening, while giving feedback that they could understand. I was fortunate enough to have some amazing people around me to train me and give me techniques to use while working. My treatment supervisor, who was an African American woman, who was strong and determined. She has now made it to being the Warden. My Clinical Supervisor at my internship was also an African American woman with charisma and so much knowledge in the field of therapy. My Clinical Supervisor is now the director over several therapy centers in Arkansas. I believe having those two women as mentors inspired me to want to be as great.
After graduating with my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, I was excited and ready to work. Eager to help and empower, I then had to face the challenge of COVID-19. While we were on lockdown in our homes, I was thinking of how can I still help. My husband and I had to draw closer and do things so differently because there was a new norm everyone was having to adjust to. My husband likes to joke with me and say, “don’t be doing no therapy on me”, but utilizing what I had learned from school on my own marriage grew us closer together than we had ever been; our family became closer. COVID is what pushed me to be like my grandfather, an entrepreneur. I decided that if I was going to be in the house, I would give others guidance and motivation. The name Guidance Motivational Counseling came from me desiring to give guidance and motivation while in a pandemic. My mother gave me $300 to start my LLC in November of 2020, since then the company has grown in ways I never would have thought. I am a Christian, so I definitely give my glory all to God.
We now have an office, three clinicians and have partnered with two different companies to help promote total wellness. We partner with Building Up Courageous Confidence and they assist with physical health benefits to health. We also partner with Changeology, and they work with individuals struggling with addiction. We all want to see everyone have affordable wellness from mental to physical.
At Guidance Motivational Counseling, we truly have a heart for helping all people no matter their race, ethnic background, gender, spirituality, or sexuality because all of that makes them who they are. We want to assist everyone with their physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual wellness. Everyone has their differences and that is what makes us unique. So, that is our story of how we got started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road and it has been very challenging starting a business. I have had to learn things as I go and I reach out to others for much needed guidance. My family is full of entrepreneurs on my father’s side of the family, so I call them a lot and ask questions. My father and his brother always had business of their own, whether it is owning a restaurant, car wash, a church, or music group, you name it they have done it. Two of my aunts also have their own business, one aunt is a Licensed Therapist in Michigan and the other owns “Mothers Helping Hands” which has licensed R.N’s, L.PN’s, and CNA’s home care services. Being an entrepreneur is in my genetics, but it doesn’t come with a guide to explain the instructions along the way. Times are very different when it comes to promoting, advertisement, and social media. I had no clue on how to even start much especially with social media.
My husband and I lived a private life with our social network of people and not letting the world into our personal life. I eventually learned that it actually helps others to see who you are, as well as sharing your story because your story may help someone else. I read a really great quote the other day and it really hit home. The quote stated, “behind my pretty smile is a story you’ll never understand, but thank God I don’t look like what I’ve been through”. My husband has helped me to gain courage and pushed me to be great, a Boss as he tells me. Now that we are on social media running ads and promoting, I have to call my cousins for advice because I was getting so lost; I had to ask my 13 years old daughter how to do a story on Instagram. My cousin Katrina Sloan owns “The PlayPad” in Atlanta, GA which is a really nice indoor center for children. My cousin Christopher Epps owns “Haywiz Productions” which does commercials, music videos, pretty much everything needed for creative video production. So I have absolutely had to call them for input and advice on several things to running a business.
We’ve been impressed with Guidance Motivational Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Guidance Motivational Counseling gives guidance and motivation for individuals, families, and couples to have complete wellness. The five main aspects of personal wellness are physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual, none of these aspects of personal health should be neglected. Having affordable services allows people to be able to address and take care of their personal wellness. What makes us different is what we offer. Most mental health facilities have therapists and qualitative behavioral health professionals at different locations. Additionally, a person would have to travel to different locations to receive physical fitness, life coaching, healthy eating, grief counseling, and addiction assistance.
Guidance Motivational Counseling is different because we offer ALL of the above in one area. Guidance Motivational Counseling partners with Changeology and Building Up Courageous Confidence, to provide the ultimate goal of reaching the best mental and physical self. The cost of our services is less than a pair of brand-name shoes, a day at the spa, or a dinner date night out on the town. We believe that being the best you should not have to be for just the wealthy or for those who have insurance, it should be for everyone who needs it. We also utilize sliding scales and different discounts programs for anyone who may not be able to afford the services they need. Our Mission is to promote a healthy change for individuals who may be struggling and desire a change. Our Vision is to spread awareness and create an accessible and affordable way to receive counseling, coaching, and support.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Guidance Motivational Counseling provides in person or virtual appointments using web-based networks. Those who wish to reach out to our services can call by phone to set up an in office appointment, or they can book an appointment on our website. All sessions are confidential and appointments are scheduled to ensure enough time to leave before the next client arrives. We can also schedule online appointments for those who may not be in the Memphis area, or just wanting to have a session from their home. We also offer family and couples counseling in different areas of the world.
We provide a specialized counseling service for Truck drivers and their families. We are grateful for our truck drivers and the work they do to keep the economy moving. Having our secure portal allows couples and families to work through their challenges, in counseling, while meeting at different scheduled times. The scheduled times are specifically designed to meet the Truckers moving schedule. We have created a specific counseling approach for the Trucker to be able to address their concerns, as well as building family cohesiveness.
Guidance Motivational Counseling
7947 Players Forest Drive
Memphis TN 38119
(901) 620-9444
Pricing:
- $65 for Goal Focused Assessment session
- $70 for Individual Counseling Session
- $75 for Couples Counseling Session
- $75 for Family Counseling Session
- $70 for Life Coaching Session
- $65 for Premarital Session
- $80 for Wellness Program
We will also give a promotional Code of 10% off for readers of MemphisVoyager using Promo Code: MVoyager10
Contact Info:
- Email: GMC@GuidanceMotivation.com
- Website: www.GuidanceMotivation.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/Guidance_Motivation
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Guidance_Motivation
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/qQl0d95-Zgc
Image Credits
Brittini Mckee
