Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane Hodges.
Hi Shane, 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?
I grew up in a town of seventy people in rural Nebraska in the 1980s. I always wanted a different life (mansion, cars, money…stuff). I had BIG dreams!
From the age of ten, my dream was to become an architect, make lots of money, and design and build my mansion. So, when the time came, I began college as an architect major. But, after 5 years and various changes, I graduated with a business degree and no plan. I ended up working in insurance, and being completely miserable, for fifteen years before finally getting my Masters degree in Clinical Counseling. I worked in community mental health for a few years before going full-time into private practice in 2014.
Since then, I have been working with adolescents and adults. My areas of focus are trauma, family dynamics, the LGBTQ+ community, and people going through big life transitions and/or trying to find their most authentic selves.
Based on my work with clients, and my own personal challenges with authenticity and self-discovery, I made the decision to write a book. That book was published in May of this year. It’s a fresh take on self-reflection; creating an interactive way for readers to question themselves – where they came from, who they are now, and how they can live as their most authentic selves.
It took ME over 40 years to allow myself to be authentic. My hope is that the book will help people get there much more quickly.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
HA! Absolutely not. Looking back, the biggest struggles were always ME!
I have A.D.D., I procrastinate, most of my life I was a HUGE people pleaser, I’m a perfectionist, asking for help or support makes me feel like a burden, my beliefs about money and finances were always conflicting, my boundaries were awful if not non-existent, and my fear of failure had a VERY loud voice inside my head. I’d always overthink things. I did not believe in myself or that I deserved the success I told myself I wanted. At time, these things were debilitating.
All that being said, I know the struggles were a huge part of what got me to where I am. I’ve worked hard, I’ve owned my own shit, I’ve done the work to improve myself, and I can acknowledge there will always be room for further growth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I founded SPH Productions upon completion of my book “It’s Time to be YOU! – How to Become Your Most Authentic Self”. The company will be used as the platform for marketing my book and any future books, offering workshops associated with the book(s), and expanding on my goal of creating spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves.
For the past fourteen years, I have been working in the field of mental health. I completed my internship at a youth detention center in 2010/2011. In May of 2011 I attained my Masters degree in Clinical Counseling. I became a Licensed Professional Counselor in May of 2013. While working in community mental health, I started my private practice. And in October of 2014, I went full time with that practice. Since then, I have built and maintained a practice that is thriving.
I believe my success as a therapist comes from my authenticity. I am very blunt, direct, and challenge clients. I don’t sugarcoat things. But I also push to create a space where clients feel comfortable being themselves, know they can trust me, and don’t have to worry that I am there to judge them or tell them what to do. I don’t see myself as an authority figure or an “expert”. I’m there to facilitate self-awareness and positive change based on what the client wants or needs. My motto when it comes to working with clients is “Let’s figure out what works for YOU!”
Overall, I’d like readers to understand that it’s ok to be themselves, to be different, to stand out, and to give themselves permission to do so. And if you need help in achieving those things, that’s ok.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband DeMarcio Slaughter for always going out of his way to support me. My parents Pat & Gail Hodges for always believing in me.
My colleague and friend Colleen Bredell for helping me do my own work.
My friend Tom Blankenship for telling me my superpower was making others feel comfortable being themselves by being myself.
My colleague and friend Catherine Wilson for helping me figure out the process of writing and publishing a book.
My life coach Erica Hanlon for keeping me on track through the process of writing my book.
And many, many others
Pricing:
- Book available for $16.99 (paperback) or $21.99 (hard cover)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sphproductions.com/
- Instagram: denverguy76
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560497113672
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-hodges-lpc-a55b8544/
- Twitter: @DenverGuy76
