We recently connected with Hunter Cook and have shared our conversation below.
Hunter, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
The concept of having a purpose is interesting to me. In my mind, purpose is “what you’re meant to do.” I think that purpose can also evolve over time, or at least how you fulfill that purpose.
I remember that I always wanted to be in a science field. My family gave me a couple of those children’s science kits, one with a microscope and slides, as well as a chemistry kit. As I grew, my love of the sciences didn’t fade, but it did evolve. Throughout high school, I found that I had an affinity for understanding others and was able to be highly empathetic toward what others were experiencing. I didn’t think much of it at the time, beyond “people like telling me stuff, and I’m not sure why.”
My intent after high school was to become a medical doctor. I went to East Tennessee State University as a pre-med student. I learned, fairly quickly, what that would involve. Specifically, chemistry, physics, and a bunch of other mathematics courses, none of which were my strong suit. Then, I took my Intro to Psychology class. I found psychology fascinating, and by the end of the semester, had changed my major to clinical psychology. I found the study of the mind, brain, and people to be fascinating, plus it’s a field where I would be able to be a helper. Again, I didn’t have the words or the insight quite yet to realize this was where a true purpose lay.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I went on to earn my master’s degree in clinical/counseling psychology from Morehead State University. Again, I knew that this was my purpose, to help others, but I still didn’t have the words to truly define it. I went on to work with children in a group home, and then a juvenile detention center. I enjoyed working with them, but it didn’t quite feel right.
Once I received my full licensure as a professional counselor in Tennessee, I transitioned to working in a large group private practice. I began to gain further insight into who I was personally and professionally, as well as refining my understanding of purpose. I realized it wasn’t just helping people that I enjoyed, it was that I was helping people grow, change, and live a more fulfilling life.
I continued on this path for several years and even went back for a second master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. I knew by this point that I wanted to be a leader in my field. Not only did I want to facilitate the growth of others in my role as a counselor, but also as a leader.
This role as a leader has evolved recently, as I have just opened my own private practice, Dimensions Counseling Center. I would consider myself to have multiple leadership roles at this point. The obvious one is that I am the owner of my own practice; not everyone chooses to take this risk, and I believe you have to have leadership qualities to do so. I intend to grow my practice into a group practice in the future, again following this path as a leader and wanting to facilitate the growth of others. I’m also a regional leader for the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association and am on their board.
All this to say, my slightly curvy path to where I am today has been all about facilitating the growth in others, whether it is through counseling or through my role as a leader. I love to see others when they see the change that can happen in their own lives.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Dimensions Counseling Center is a telehealth practice based in Johnson City, Tennessee, offering support for a wide range of mental health concerns, including trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and big life transitions. As a professional counselor, I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, or who have had negative counseling or therapy experiences in the past. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to restore faith in counseling and facilitate the personal growth my clients desire. What’s truly exciting about my work is seeing the transformation when someone who’s had negative experiences with therapy realizes the potential for positive change. Witnessing that shift is incredibly powerful. As a practice, Dimensions Counseling Center’s mission is to provide personalized, authentic, and exceptional care to help our clients transform their lives and achieve lasting well-being. Our vision is to be a leading provider of transformative care, empowering clients to live fulfilling and purpose-driven lives across Tennessee and Virginia. With over 12 years of experience, I utilize a number of therapeutic modalities, with a focus on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), for which I am certified.”
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things really stand out in my growth: being curious, being open to feedback, and just…being okay with feeling uncomfortable. And let me tell you, those aren’t always easy to juggle, especially when you’re dealing with tough stuff.
First off, curiosity. That’s been with me forever, even before I knew what to call it. It’s what pushes me to explore different therapies, really get where my clients are coming from, and keep learning about these wonderful, and sometimes confusing creatures we call humans. It’s kept me growing, both as a counselor and as a leader.
Then there’s receiving feedback. You know, the dreaded “hearing what people really think?” That’s been huge. Whether it’s from a supervisor, a colleague, or a client, it’s shown me where I’m blind, where I’m biased, and where I can get better. I’ve learned to see it as a tool, not a personal attack or some kind of “you failed” sign.
And the hardest one (but probably most important)? Sitting with discomfort. Really letting yourself feel the tough stuff. That’s been so important, both in my work and in my life. Counseling throws you into some heavy situations, and, hey, I’m human too. Embracing that discomfort has built up my resilience, my empathy, and helped me understand people on a whole different level. Shout out to Brené Brown, whose books brought a brand new perspective on this into my life.
For anyone starting out, here’s what I’d say:
Stay Curious: Never stop learning. Take workshops, talk to experienced folks, and even learn about stuff outside your field. I got into photography, and it’s been surprisingly helpful in giving me new ways to use my brain and skills. Ask questions, even the dumb ones. Curiosity is your engine.
Get Good at Receiving Feedback: Seriously, seek it out. Don’t take it personally; break it down, and learn from it. And the more you ask for it, the less scary it becomes. Plus, it stops you from making bigger mistakes down the line. And remember, every screw-up is a chance to learn something new.
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: This takes time and, yeah, you will have times when you aren’t able to sit with it. But start by acknowledging the unpleasant feelings, instead of running from them. You build up your tolerance, you get stronger. Life’s gonna knock you down, it just is. But if you can sit with the pain, learn from it, and get back up? You’ll be unstoppable.”
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
In early 2024, I realized it was time to move on to whatever was supposed to be next in my professional journey. I began my search for a new job. As I’m sure many readers have also experienced, I ran into a bunch of “thanks, but we’re going with a different candidate.” It became demoralizing and I was experiencing a lot more anxiety and was depressed for a while. Remember when I said sitting with discomfort was important but you won’t be successful at it sometimes? Yeah, this was one of those times for me. Eventually, through participating in counseling and with the support of my partner, I was able to get to a point where I was willing and able to take things into my own hands. I was able to reorient my priorities, re-engage with my values, and begin moving forward toward where I am now, the proud owner of a private practice. I am back to having confidence in myself and an acknowledgment of what is and isn’t in my control. There are still times that I hear the voice of doubt in my head, but I’ve gotten back to being able to sit with that discomfort, acknowledge it, and take action. Life comes in seasons, some pleasant, some unpleasant, some short, and some much longer. But, as with our four seasons, all come and all go in time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dimensionscounselingcenter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimensionscounselingcenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dimensions-Counseling-Center-PLLC/61572603461763/
Image Credits
All images were taken by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
