Inspiring Conversations with Fred Johnson of Fred Johnson Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred Johnson

Hi Fred, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As an 18-year resident of middle Tennessee, I’m proud to call this home. I pursued my career in the helping profession as a Licensed Professional Counseling as an outstep of faith and from my genuine desire to help others find their healing. Following graduate school, I worked for 9 years in a wonderful faith-based nonprofit counseling center where I gained a breadth of experience in helping others with everyday challenges ranging anywhere from difficult mental health conditions, to adjusting in life transitions, and even complex spiritual struggles.

In the spring of 2023, I launched into my own private practice venture as a small business after realizing a desire to specialize as an outdoor therapist. I now integrate movement into the therapeutic process and am one of only a few trained and certified to do so as a Run-Walk-Talk® therapist nation-wide.

Outside of the office, I am blessed as a married father of two wonderful girls. I was raised in rural Oklahoma but moved to Murfreesboro in 2007. I am an avid runner, I love reading, and I am active in ministry within my church. I look for any excuse to be outdoors and share the wonders of nature with first timers.
I’m pretty laid back and easygoing. If you meet me outside the office, you won’t find some alternate version of me or a different persona. What you see in sessions, is who I am outside of sessions. I believe that being genuine with others is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress, and I actively live that out!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The challenge of owning a successful small business is hardly ever without at least a few bumps in the road. I have been blessed over the past several years while building my practice with several incredible sources of support, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest challenges I had to face was to get into the mindset of marketing myself! I love helping people and am proud of the work I do. However, I’ve realized that my passion for this work doesn’t do much for those seeking help but can’t find me.
I’ve had to grow past my natural inclination towards privacy and routine into marketing with the mindset of service. My heart’s desire is to provide the highest quality of care for people. The more I can connect with my community and share that desire, the more that can happen.

We’ve been impressed with Fred Johnson Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Please tell us more about your business or organization.
What should we know?
Fred Johnson Counseling is a private practice mental health therapy office located in Murfreesboro, Tn. I provide both in person and online sessions.
I love the healing process. I am grateful every time a client entrusts me to come along their journey to well-being. It is an honor to have worked in this helping profession for over a decade. I use a variety of modalities in therapy, determined by my client’s needs. There is no typical counseling session. I help individuals and couples deal with issues such as trauma, codependency, grief processing, depression, anxiety, faith struggles, parenting, and relationship challenges.

What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
I specialize in Run-Walk-Talk® therapy, a therapy that blends the traditional therapeutic talk approach with movement modality. I also provide specialized treatment for trauma utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I’m known for meeting clients where they are at in life and providing a space to process and heal.

What sets you apart from others?
I provide an alternative to traditional “sit-down” therapy. While the privacy and comfort of a formal therapy office space is preferred by many, a growing number of clients would much rather participate in therapy while being active. Run Walk Talk provides a modality for healing while also engaging our physical being.

What are you most proud brand wise?
My mission: Fred Johnson Counseling exists to honor God by providing unique and personalized care for individuals and couples as they pursue health and healing.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
I believe there are 4 foundational components to an individual’s well-being:
1. Mental Health – includes your thoughts, memories, ideas, self-talk, perceptions, paradigms, and constructs of life.
2. Emotional Health – includes your deep feelings, emotional reactions, mood and attitudes, and attachments.
3. Physical Health – includes meeting the needs of the body, brain, and safety in environment.
4. Spiritual Health – includes one’s sense of connection beyond just ourself, one’s faith, and expression of that faith.
Neglecting any one of these components impedes wellness.

Any big plans?
I’d like to expand my reach and impact to normalize mental health. I’m looking forward to seeing the stigma around seeking a counselor extinguish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fredjohnsoncounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredjohnsoncounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089920117494
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-johnson320/
• Other: [email protected]