Exploring Life & Business with Reid Horn of Horn Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reid Horn. 

Hi Reid, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Because I have always valued community, I grew up knowing I was going to be in the helping profession in some capacity. My family was a big part of the community when I was growing up. My community wasn’t as big as New York City, Los Angeles, or even Nashville. It was just a small town in Indiana, and while no one in my family were politicians, pastors, or public figures they were connected with the community in a big way. My grandmother, Mary-Lou owned and operated a local family-run diner where everyone I knew went. It was called Mary Lou’s Home Plate. My grandmother was an inspiration to me and she taught me a lot about community in my time as a young teenager working alongside her. Because she was a huge Cubs fan the restaurant was decorated from the ceiling to the floor with Cubs memorabilia. One year she was able to take our whole family to a Cubs game in Chicago. I remember her renting a Grey Hound bus for the family. Although I have a big family there ended up being extra seats available, so she called people in the community to see if they wanted to join us. The bus was filled! 

Those memories encouraged me to pursue a career in the helping profession. It wasn’t until I moved to Springfield, Missouri to attend college that the idea of pursuing a counseling degree became a reality. I found myself going through some of the toughest years of my life. During that period, I went through a difficult divorce. Going through a divorce caused me to realize the toxic gender norms that greatly affected how I viewed myself and how I did relationships with others such as, “Men aren’t supposed to have emotions” and “Men can’t be vulnerable with others when they are going through a difficult time.” My path towards relational healing started when I pushed past those toxic gender norms and surrounded myself with amazing individuals that helped me get through these difficult times. It is easy for me to point to the power of community that helped me through. This experience solidified that counseling was my future. I had a new mission. I wanted to help others find their community. 

I completed my therapy degree and started my new mission. First, I started working in the recovery field of counseling helping people break free from the hangups and habits that kept them from living the life they really wanted. I learned early on as a young professional therapist that I don’t have to be their only source of help. For individuals coming out of a life of addiction, it can be very lonely. Therefore, I was quick in the therapy process to encourage them to connect with a healthy community that would help support them on their journey to recovery. 

In 2014, I decided to establish my own therapy practice called Horn Counseling. My mission was to help people thrive in all areas of their lives. I knew that by helping people thrive, they could positively impact their family, friends, and ultimately their community. Over time as my experience and training continued to grow, I expanded beyond recovery and started to work with couples. Being able to use my own experience of going through a divorce and learning how partners can connect on a vulnerable level was my way of redeeming my past experiences, and another way to help the community. 

After living in Springfield, Missouri for 10 years, I realized that it was time for me to move. I decided to move to Nashville, Tennessee in 2017 and was able to establish Horn Counseling in Hermitage, Tennessee. Horn Counseling has since grown and now has interns from local universities such as Lipscomb University and Trevecca University. This way Horn Counseling can help provide affordable therapy to the Nashville community. We have also partnered with Nōssi College of Art to provide affordable therapy for their students. We have been able to not only provide individual and group therapy to the students but have been guest speakers in classes and conferences at Nōssi. We have been able to share topics such as self-care, depression, and anxiety, to more difficult conversations such as racial equality and diversity. 

I have also continued my passion for challenging toxic gender norms in our society by establishing a group for men called Authentic Men’s Group. This created an opportunity for men to challenge the toxic masculine norms that we have been surrounded by our entire lives. It’s an opportunity for men to practice being vulnerable and authentic, and talk about tough topics that most men stereotypically hide away from their family and friends. 

Additionally, I know Nashville was the right place to call home because this is where my long journey towards relational healing has crescendoed. In August 2021 I married my wife, Lauren. She has opened my eyes to how amazing and healthy relationships can truly be. I’m so grateful that we both strive to practice healthy relationship skills. She is a big part of my amazing community. 

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?
Horn Counseling exists to provide hope through professional counseling and creative coaching so individuals can thrive and ultimately bring about a healthier Nashville. We are a team of 6 Therapists that provides individual and couples’ therapy.

We also provide group therapy such as Authentic Men’s Group (AMG). AMG is an opportunity for men to challenge the toxic masculine norms that we have been surrounded by our entire lives. It’s an opportunity for men to practice being vulnerable and authentic, and talk about tough topics that most men stereotypically hide away from their family and friends.

I am also proud that we provide therapy to the students of Nōssi College of Art. We are able to help the students work through some big changes in their lives. Not only leaving home for the first time and navigating the challenges of being an adult but navigating the big changes in our society right now with the pandemic, social issues, and political issues.

To answer your question, in short, Horn Counseling sets itself apart by trying to keep our therapy practice relevant to our community’s current needs. We want to be able to provide hope and healing for the issues that matter most to our community.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We would love to partner with other organizations, churches, universities, etc in the community to come in and speak on mental health-related issues that affect our community. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.HornCounseling.org
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/horncounseling
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horncounseling