Story & Lesson Highlights with Genardra Pugh of Maryland, Virginia

Genardra Pugh shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Genardra, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that brings me joy outside of work is hiking. In March 2024, I challenged myself to try new things—whether with friends or on my own. While scrolling through Instagram, I came across a hiking group called The Hike Crew, who was hosting a hike up Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Maryland. At that time, I was an inexperienced hiker, but I accepted the challenge, bought my first pair of hiking boots, and set out on the adventure alone. Since that first experience, I haven’t stopped hitting the trails. Some of my greatest accomplishments include hiking with Goombay Adventures and completing 12.6 miles of a 20-mile overnight hike last November at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, as well as tackling Section A of the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls, Potomac. On that hike, I was able to overcome my fear of steep climbs, narrow pathways, and even a 50-foot rock scramble. I have always been physically active—from dancing to cheerleading to now hiking. Hiking brings me joy because of its slow and natural healing. I enjoy taking in the beautiful scenery on each trail, giving my body the chance to move and test its limits, and connecting with both new and familiar faces through different hiking groups. Above all, I love the feeling of accomplishment after completing a long hike, whether through wooded trails or mountainous terrain.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Genardra Pugh, and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, licensed in both Maryland and Virginia. Originally from Emporia, Virginia, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Spelman College and my Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from The George Washington University.

My professional journey began immediately after graduate school when I worked for the State of Maryland as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, helping individuals with disabilities secure employment. Since then, I have gained experience in private practice, nonprofit organizations, and health clinics, which has shaped my approach as a counselor and deepened my passion for serving diverse populations.

Currently, I am the owner of Growing New Potential Counseling, a private practice I founded to provide telehealth therapy to individuals ages 17 and older. At Growing New Potential Counseling, I work with clients navigating depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, identity concerns, and self-esteem challenges. The mission is simple yet powerful: “Give yourself permission to grow new potential.”

The inspiration for the name came during a brainstorming session with a colleague as we dreamed about our future practices. I wanted something creative, meaningful, and representative of who I am—without explicitly using my name. With my initials being GNP, the phrase “Growing New Potential Counseling” came to me instantly. At first, the idea sat idle for eight months as I worked through the fear and anxiety of bringing it to life. But with support from my own therapy journey, I took the leap, and today, Growing New Potential Counseling is the realization of that vision.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I would say my entire family taught me the most about the value of work. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents were educators, and my parents dedicated their careers to social and human services before retiring. From an early age, work was instilled in my brother and me—school was often referred to as “my job.” My family consistently emphasized the importance, power, and outcomes of hard work, and I carried those lessons with me from elementary school through college.

Beyond academics, my family also taught me that work meant more than earning grades or a paycheck. They instilled in me the value of working to build a living for myself while also giving back to my community through volunteering and personal and professional development opportunities.

As a business owner today, those lessons have been invaluable in helping me sustain and grow my work. While I can admit that I am very much a workaholic, I have also been learning to broaden my definition of work. For me, it now includes serving my community through my sorority and church, as well as working on myself—physically, spiritually, and socially.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Two of the greatest lessons suffering has taught me, which success never could, are how to suffer well and persevere. As I began my professional journey to become a licensed counselor, I encountered challenges both academically and professionally. I faced doubts about my abilities from myself and others, microaggressions, toxic and stressful work environments, difficult colleagues, and the heavy burden of self-advocacy as a minority. While these experiences provided opportunities for success, they also brought significant suffering. Through them, I learned how to endure hardship without letting my external circumstances hinder my internal drive to achieve my professional goals of becoming a licensed mental health therapist and even accomplishing personal goals. Every day, I showed up and continue to show as my best self, working hard and persevering to reach my goals regardless of the challenges. I firmly believe in and have lived the truth of Frederick Douglass’s statement: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think smart people often get it wrong by believing they can outthink or intellectualize their way into—or out of—anything. I include myself in this. While intelligence is valuable, an overemphasis on cognitive ability can actually hinder growth in other areas such as emotional intelligence, creativity, empathy, and relationship-building.

I’m learning every day that being “smart” isn’t just about what you already know. It’s about how you acquire knowledge, the connections you build, and the ability to experience both success and failure in a healthy way. True wisdom lies not only in intellect, but also in balance—integrating mind, heart, and lived experience.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I were to retire tomorrow, I believe my clients would miss my ability to build rapport and create relatability the most. Building rapport is a fundamental principle of counseling, and I credit my strength in this area to several factors. Personally, I have a deep love for learning and exposure to new experiences—I enjoy traveling, reading, watching podcasts, documentaries, and even reality TV, all of which give me a wide perspective to connect with others. Professionally, I began my career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, helping individuals with disabilities find employment, which sharpened my ability to meet people where they are and build meaningful connections.

Throughout my career, I have seen the power of rapport in creating change. It allows clients to feel seen and valued, rather than reduced to a collection of problems. I’ve learned that many people simply need a listening ear that is kind, genuine, realistic, sympathetic, and empathetic.

My work as a therapist is guided by a quote from Carl Rogers: “In my early professional years, I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship this person may use for his (her) own personal growth?” This philosophy reflects my belief that rapport is not just a tool, but the foundation of growth and healing in the therapeutic process.

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Image Credits
James Mason- @jsupa.lens

Krystle Pearson-Oh So Posh Photos

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