{"id":12929,"date":"2019-09-25T01:12:23","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T05:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/?page_id=12929"},"modified":"2023-04-03T13:15:18","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T17:15:18","slug":"editor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/about\/editor\/","title":{"rendered":"About The Editor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-uagb-section uagb-section__wrap uagb-section__background-color uagb-block-a8b9ff98\"><div class=\"uagb-section__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-section__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image logoimagecenter is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-1.jpg\" alt=\"Randy Withers, LCMHC\" class=\"wp-image-38629 lazyload\" width=\"209\" height=\"209\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-1.jpg\" alt=\"Randy Withers, LCMHC\" class=\"wp-image-38629 lazyload\" width=\"209\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-1-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Randy Withers, LCMHC<br><strong>Managing Editor<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links aligncenter has-small-icon-size has-icon-color items-justified-center is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li style=\"color: #000000; \" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin has-black-color wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/randywithers\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color: #000000; \" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-medium has-black-color wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medium.com\/@RandyWithers\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M20.962,7.257l-5.457,8.867l-3.923-6.375l3.126-5.08c0.112-0.182,0.319-0.286,0.527-0.286c0.05,0,0.1,0.008,0.149,0.02 c0.039,0.01,0.078,0.023,0.114,0.041l5.43,2.715l0.006,0.003c0.004,0.002,0.007,0.006,0.011,0.008 C20.971,7.191,20.98,7.227,20.962,7.257z M9.86,8.592v5.783l5.14,2.57L9.86,8.592z M15.772,17.331l4.231,2.115 C20.554,19.721,21,19.529,21,19.016V8.835L15.772,17.331z M8.968,7.178L3.665,4.527C3.569,4.479,3.478,4.456,3.395,4.456 C3.163,4.456,3,4.636,3,4.938v11.45c0,0.306,0.224,0.669,0.498,0.806l4.671,2.335c0.12,0.06,0.234,0.088,0.337,0.088 c0.29,0,0.494-0.225,0.494-0.602V7.231C9,7.208,8.988,7.188,8.968,7.178z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Medium<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color: #000000; \" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-mail has-black-color wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"mailto:s&#117;pp&#111;&#114;&#116;&#064;blu&#110;t-&#116;&#104;e&#114;apy&#046;c&#111;&#109;\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19,5H5c-1.1,0-2,.9-2,2v10c0,1.1.9,2,2,2h14c1.1,0,2-.9,2-2V7c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm.5,12c0,.3-.2.5-.5.5H5c-.3,0-.5-.2-.5-.5V9.8l7.5,5.6,7.5-5.6V17zm0-9.1L12,13.6,4.5,7.9V7c0-.3.2-.5.5-.5h14c.3,0,.5.2.5.5v.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Mail<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Hey there! My name is Randy and I&#8217;m the Founder and Managing Editor of Blunt Therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina, I specialize in the treatment of things like substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, depression, and anxiety. I also work with parents and help people with their relationship issues, too. I love my job and I love writing about it, too.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-LCAS-signature.png\" alt=\"Randy Withers LCMHC LCAS signature\" class=\"wp-image-27464 lazyload\" width=\"285\" height=\"73\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-LCAS-signature.png\" alt=\"Randy Withers LCMHC LCAS signature\" class=\"wp-image-27464 lazyload\" width=\"285\" height=\"73\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-LCAS-signature.png 525w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-LCAS-signature-400x103.png 400w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Randy-Withers-LCMHC-LCAS-signature-150x39.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 285px) 100vw, 285px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m a former teacher, college counselor, and Academic Dean. For the past two years, I&#8217;ve been the Managing Editor on Blunt <a title=\"Therapy\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Therapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve spent the past 20 years helping people achieve goals. Along the way, I&#8217;ve developed a perspective on the nature of change that informs everything I do as a therapist. In late 2018, I started Blunt Therapy with the goal of making it the best <a title=\"blog\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-start-a-mental-health-blog\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">blog<\/a> about mental health on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also battle my own demons, so I get your struggle. Mental illness is horrific. I&#8217;ve been dealing with it for more than 25 years. But I&#8217;ve also come a long way, and you can, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credly.com\/badges\/237c95c9-bc93-4141-b0fa-5be1a9805a8e\/public_url\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/NBCC-NCC-300x300.png\" alt=\"NBCC Certification\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/NBCC-NCC-300x300.png\" alt=\"NBCC Certification\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<!-- Professional verification provided by Psychology Today -->\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/profile\/216736\" class=\"sx-verified-seal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/member.psychologytoday.com\/verified-seal.js\" data-badge=\"13\" data-id=\"216736\" data-code=\"aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHN5Y2hvbG9neXRvZGF5LmNvbS9hcGkvdmVyaWZpZWQtc2VhbC9zZWFscy9bQkFER0VdL3Byb2ZpbGUvW1BST0ZJTEVfSURdP2NhbGxiYWNrPXN4Y2FsbGJhY2s=\"><\/script>\n<!-- End Verification -->\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m a passionate advocate for frank discussions and advocacy about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/mental-health\/\">mental health<\/a> and substance abuse. I believe that recovery from both is possible, but it requires brutally honest self-reflection, dogged tenacity, and an unrestrained willingness to devour new information and alternative points of view. In my role as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/resources\/mental-health-websites\/\">Mental Health<\/a> Professional, I live up to this notion by providing insight, direction, and accountability to those I serve.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Interviews and Quotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have had the pleasure of being interviewed and quoted by several online magazines and blogs, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2021\/02\/22\/student-debt-is-causing-a-mental-health-crisis-forgiving-it-would-ease-distress-for-millions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Salon<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/peaceful-parents-happy-kids\/202104\/guiding-children-behave-instead-punishing-them\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psychology Today<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mindsplain.com\/what-is-forgiveness-part-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mindsplain<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.choosingtherapy.com\/anxiety-in-men\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Choosing Therapy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/psych2go.net\/interview-randy-withers-licensed-counselor-case-manager-foster-care-agency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psych2Go<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/porch.com\/advice\/burnout-advice-experts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Cope with Burnout: Advice From The Experts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/parade.com\/1136240\/kaitlin-vogel\/how-to-help-someone-who-tests-positive-for-covid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parade Magazine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahaparenting.com\/blog\/raising__great_kids_without_punishment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aha! Parenting<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-productive-home-office-setup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Redfin<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/centsai.com\/life\/holidays\/top-new-years-resolutions-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Centsai<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/thrivetherapyandcounseling.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/28\/fdz5tgiivb8r20udd77b480hwiwcx8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thrive Therapy &amp; Counseling<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/thepatientsvoice.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Patient&#8217;s Voice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/ahealthywaytobesick.org\/online-counseling-what-you-need-to-know-about-multiple-sclerosis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Healthy Way To Be Sick<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/swaay.com\/how-to-easily-improve-your-therapy-sessions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Swaay<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/is-it-ok-to-ask-your-therapist-personal-questions-1846574915\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lifehacker<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/porch.com\/advice\/healthy-habits-the-experts-guide-for-a-healthy-lifestyle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Healthy Habits: The Experts\u2019 Guide For a Healthy Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/best-things-people-learned-in-therapy\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/best-things-people-learned-in-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bored Panda<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Publishing Credits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, my work has been featured in a number of publications, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eric.ed.gov\/?id=ED489250\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Curriculum of Peace: Selected Essays from English Journal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a4pt.site-ym.com\/news\/470235\/3-Legit-reasons-why-children-fear-school-and-how-parents-can-help.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Association for Play Therapy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtcatalog.com\/randy-withers\/2020\/11\/heres-how-embracing-12-step-principles-can-help-us-through-everyday-struggles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thought Catalog<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/goodmenproject.com\/author\/randy-withers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Good Men Project<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thriveglobal.com\/authors\/randy-withers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thrive Global<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Blogs\/NAMI-Blog\/January-2021\/Why-I-Embrace-12-Step-Principles-as-a-Therapist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NAMI<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rtor.org\/2019\/11\/29\/facts-about-suicide-in-the-united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Resources To Recover<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.style.yahoo.com\/5-things-ive-learned-working-231815790.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANgL3un0X1wAsmFzvHBwjQGgvjx0hJTuKwuiUZFpJgpBTigL3EIwVPftqeHDDDH7uwBh_6T_L1_E31CdQYM7Cc7I83VGWXhJrSuh25LfQPavJjjLRlTfn2xYWkQmHqFpspdSt9inwCdVtkoNAa3zSKqSUcNH9qoEqRF66l1D5R5b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yahoo! Style<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/themighty.com\/2019\/05\/working-at-state-psychiatric-hospital\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Mighty<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/the-ascent\/12-awkward-questions-you-want-to-ask-your-therapist-but-dont-according-to-google-b142eca03dea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Ascent<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/the-mission\/here-are-5-unbelievably-toxic-things-good-parents-never-do-1fc3477657c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mission.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/age-of-awareness\/what-darth-vader-can-teach-us-about-the-value-of-setting-goals-cc1888dc886f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Age of Ascent<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/psiloveyou.xyz\/she-inspired-me-and-that-was-a-deal-breaker-6514c150cab4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PS I Love You<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Professional Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have had two careers in my life. The first one was as an Educator. I worked at a military academy in St. Petersburg, FL for almost ten years. I taught English and History, lived in the dorms with the cadets, served as Editor of the Yearbook, and created the Office of College Placement. For most of my tenure, I was the director of that program as well as the Academic Dean for the Upper School. I helped put that school on the map academically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During my time as Director of College Placement, I fell in love with <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" title=\"counseling\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-get-results-in-therapy\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">counseling<\/a>. What I did was academic in nature, but I much preferred that dynamic to the classroom. It&#8217;s an amazing feeling to know you&#8217;ve helped a kid get accepted to a competitive college. I knew that Education was not the best career choice for me, and that I needed to get my degree in Counseling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I got divorced in 2009, which sucked. I had an opportunity to go to grad school in North Carolina, so I moved in 2011 and never looked back. I graduated with my masters in Clinical <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/mental-health\/\" title=\"Mental Health\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Mental Health<\/a> Counseling in 2014, but I started working in the field in 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders. I am trauma-informed with everything that I do. I have had great success using Motivational Interviewing and Twelve Step Facilitation in both individual and group settings. I primarily work with adults in recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My career has afforded me a great deal of experience. I currently work at a psychiatric hospital. I&#8217;ve worked in drug treatment centers, as an in-home family therapist, and in private practice settings, too. My next move is to become a Clinical Supervisor, a goal I hope to achieve in the next six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I decided to publish <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/donate\/\">Blunt Therapy<\/a> because I also love writing and editing. I fumble my way through WordPress and SEO as well, which appeals to me in ways that counseling does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve learned to value honesty and frank discussions about mental health. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\">Therapy<\/a> is an action verb which is often painful to experience. But that&#8217;s the nature of change. If you&#8217;re not challenged, you don&#8217;t grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Personal Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My own personal experience with recovery from mental illness and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" title=\"substance abuse\" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/substance-abuse\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">substance abuse<\/a> that makes me most effective as a catalyst for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have battled depression, anxiety, <a title=\"suicidal ideation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">suicidal ideation<\/a>, and drug addiction for longer than I care to remember. It&#8217;s almost killed me on several occasions. I&#8217;m on the other side of things now and have been for a couple of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am a graduate of Florida State University and Lenoir-Rhyne University with master&#8217;s degrees in Education and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, respectively. I am licensed to practice mental health and addictions counseling in the State of North Carolina. I live in Morganton, North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On a Lighter Note<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m a Floridian by birth, an unapologetic Seminoles fan, a political and history buff, and an accomplished pop culture dork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I love movies and literature, Star Trek and the Star Wars OT, and I think the most important invention of the past 50 years has been Netflix. My other passions, besides mental health and <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/substance-abuse\/\">addictions<\/a>, include web design and writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I enjoy traveling, hiking, comic book conventions, and a well-prepared steak. You can follow me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/randywithers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/counselorinsite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter, <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medium.com\/@RandyWithers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Medium<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I&#8217;m also available for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/coaching\/\">consultation<\/a> (life coaching), guest posting, interviews, and speaking engagements.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/coaching\/\">Contact me<\/a> if you&#8217;d like to work together.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ub-buttons align-button-center orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\"  id=\"ub-button-4910d9a5-fb45-4ba9-9f75-285ae5496a97\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/coaching\/\" target=\"_self\"\n    rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n    class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium\" role=\"button\">\n    <div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\"><strong>SCHEDULE A SESSION<\/strong><\/span>\n    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clinical Mental Health Counseling<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I have considerable experience in a variety of roles in the field of mental health, including work with individuals and groups, case management, and clinical assessment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I specialize in family systems and co-occurring disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My counseling is trauma-informed, with a focus on motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral interventions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Certification and Licensure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncblpc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCBLCMHC<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LCAS: Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsappb.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCSAPPB<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NCC: Nationally Certified Counselor (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youracclaim.com\/badges\/237c95c9-bc93-4141-b0fa-5be1a9805a8e\/public_url\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBCC<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CCTP: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traumapro.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IATP<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ICAADC: Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol &amp; Drug Counselor (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.internationalcredentialing.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IC&amp;RC<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FCT: Certified Family-Centered Therapist (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.familycenteredtreatment.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CFCT<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2014 MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling &#8212; Lenoir-Rhyne University<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1999 MS, Education &#8212; Florida State University<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1997 BA, English, Psychology &#8212; Florida State University<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m a former teacher, college counselor, and Academic Dean. For the past two years, I&#8217;ve been the Managing Editor on Blunt Therapy. I&#8217;ve spent the past 20 years helping people achieve goals. Along the way, I&#8217;ve developed a perspective on the nature of change that informs everything I do as a therapist. In late 2018, I started Blunt Therapy with the goal of making it the best blog about mental health on the internet. I also battle my own demons, so I get your struggle. Mental illness is horrific. I&#8217;ve been dealing with it for more than 25 years. But<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":12178,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"featured_image_src":null,"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"tiny":false,"thumbnail-medium":false,"thumbnail-square":false,"thumbnail-portrait":false,"thumbnail-large":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/randy-withers\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"I&#8217;m a former teacher, college counselor, and Academic Dean. For the past two years, I&#8217;ve been the Managing Editor on Blunt Therapy. I&#8217;ve spent the past 20 years helping people achieve goals. Along the way, I&#8217;ve developed a perspective on the nature of change that informs everything I do as a therapist. In late 2018,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12929"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12929"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12929\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}