Hello there! My name is Justin Hoeck and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor whose purpose in life is to help others live and thrive to the best of their abilities. In our work together, I will strive to support you on your journey of growth and healing so that you can develop and manifest your true potential. Whether you are coming to address concerns surrounding anxiety, depression, grief, interpersonal conflict, adjusting to new changes in your life, or beyond I believe we can develop an effective plan to meet your needs.
In my experience, I have found that those who come to work with me with an open mind, a true desire to change, and the commitment to put in the work needed to make these changes occur are often the most successful. So, the question I propose to you is this: Are you ready to seek out and develop the best version of yourself?
Area of Expertise:
In my work as a Mental Health Counselor, I have experience working with adolescents and adults. My areas of expertise include working with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, social and communication skills, emotional regulation, adjustment difficulties, interpersonal conflict, and grief. I have conducted individual, family, and group therapy in person and via telehealth services for the last 4 years. Additionally, I have 1 year of experience working as a Lead Therapist where I assisted and trained other therapists in learning the ropes of their new positions as well as staffing clients and providing consultation.
What is your main goal when working with a client?
I have always told my clients that my one and only goal while working with them is to meet them where they are and help them in the best way possible. I provide a person-centered approach for my clients that emphasizes their individual experiences and provides unconditional positive regard. The goal is to work with you to explore and identify what your vision is for your future, what barriers are in front of us, and how we can overcome these barriers to manifest your vision.
What is your approach and what methods do you employ?
Beyond utilizing a person-centered approach that emphasizes your individual experience and provides you with unconditional support and compassion, I utilize an Integrative or Synergistic approach. As such, I cater my approach and all of the subsequent interventions, tools, and psychoeducational information to meet each individual client where they are at that moment in time.
The primary theoretical modalities I utilize are Person-Centered or Rogerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Existentialism. In person-centered therapy, the idea is that you as the client are the expert on your life and my role as your therapist is to assist you in exploring and building a greater understanding of yourself and the world you live in. With CBT, we focus on identifying automatic negative thoughts and how they relate to your emotions and behaviors to identify faulty patterns of thinking and then we apply techniques to challenge and rationalize your thoughts to improve the subsequent feelings and behaviors. As the name indicates, SFBT is a short-term, goal-focused approach where the objective is to zero in on identifying and implementing potential solutions rather than dwelling on the problem(s). Last but not least, and my personal favorite theoretical modality, Existentialism focuses on assisting clients in exploring and confronting the unavoidable anxieties that are intrinsic to life and existence such as Death, Meaning, Isolation, and Freedom.
What age groups do you most often work with?
I have had the pleasure of working with individuals as young as 5 years old up to the seasoned age of 66. During this time, I have found that I thrive when working with teens and older.
Are you passive or active in the session, what can a client typically expect sessions to be like while working with you?
As an Integrative Therapist, I adjust my approach to meet the individual’s needs at the time of the appointment. How active or passive I am depends on what is best for my client at that time. Whether you come in needing direction or an open ear to process with, I will focus on catering to that need. No matter what you need, the number one thing you will always receive is an open and loving space that will allow you to express yourself without fear of judgment or persecution and validation of your emotions. I strive to always ensure my clients feel validated, understood, and appreciated for who they are, no matter what they are going through.
What is your background and what are your credentials?
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (License # MH 21065). Prior to earning my MA in Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling Track I also obtained my BS in Psychology. I have worked in Outpatient and Residential settings providing individual, group, and family therapy. I am also a National Certified Counselor.
What is the reason you decided to get into counseling?
I have always felt a calling to help others and was given the gift of a unique capacity for empathy that allows me to build a strong connection with others to better care for them. However, despite this my journey to become a healer truly began after I was blessed to have worked with my own therapist. I struggled with depression and anxiety throughout my adolescence and young adulthood and, unfortunately like many do, bounced between a multitude of providers for years. That is until I found my match with a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. My therapist helped me pull a 180 and quite literally saved my life. Since then, I have committed my life to pursue my goal of providing that same compassion, understanding, and healing to as many other people as I can. For me, counseling is more than just a profession or a way to bring home the bacon; It is truly part of who I am down to the depths of my soul, so much so that I have even devoted half of my right arm (with more to come!) to represent mental health and healing through my tattoos which I wear proudly to show the world that mental health matters.
Tell us about your education
In my honest opinion, my education to become a therapist began with my own self-exploration and learning who I am in my own therapy as well as personal development through my own self-directed study of religion, philosophy, and history. My formal education truly began in earnest when I pursued and obtained my AA from Seminole State College. After this, I utilized the direct connect program and obtained my BS in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Most recently, I obtained my MA in Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling Track from the University of Central Florida as well.