Welcome to Plumeria Counseling - Get In Touch
860-791-4688 | elizabeth@plumeriacounseling.hush.com
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About
Get to Know Me Personally
Elizabeth Hester, MA, LPC (Connecticut), LPC/MHSP (Tennessee) & Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
I was born and raised in New England and have enjoyed experiencing different cultures in the places I have lived. Because of these experiences I love diversity and the unique qualities each person possesses. I spent four years in western New York for my undergraduate education. There I built endurance alongside life-long friends through the winter seasons and lake effect snow. I then lived in Hawaii where the culture taught me a deeper appreciation for every generation and challenged me to ‘let go’ and relax. This is where the plumeria flower took a meaningful place in my heart.
Before moving to Connecticut I made Knoxville, TN my home where the community of people I was blessed with taught me how to grow in confidence in my faith, my skills, and myself. Each of these places holds a special place in my heart and have given me valuable life lessons that bleed into my work, my friendships, family and motherhood.
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Each season has its challenges and each season has its own beauty. In each season of my life I have learned to embrace the journey with its challenges and cherish every beautiful part that has been reaped from both the joyous and difficult times. I love the following quote because it reminds me to look for the peace, beauty and adventure available in each day
"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."
- Hans Christian Andersen
In my spare time I love music, art, staying active with friends and family, being involved in my church community, and spending time with my dog and horse. Most important to me is my 'Mama' title and having fun partaking in the adventure of life with my son; soaking in every smile, laugh, cry and tantrum along the way with my little guy!
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That's me in a snapshot, I look forward to getting to know you!
Get To Know Me Professionally
I completed my Bachelor's of Science in Psychology: Pre-Applied Therapy and Equine Management through Houghton University. I have always loved personal and relational development, which is what led me to pursue my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Regent University.
During my graduate studies I worked as a Registered Behavior Technician utilizing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). I loved this work, which led me to getting my post-graduate degree in ABA. I also gained experience supporting individuals in substance abuse recovery through leading intensive outpatient groups with veterans, leading therapeutic groups and providing individual counseling for women recovering from addictions, domestic violence, and relational traumas.
After graduating from Regent University, I began working at a psychiatric hospital as an inpatient therapist where I tailored psycho-education groups to fit the needs of the patients and provided individual counseling to support the goals of the patients. In my heart however I wanted to specialize in couples therapy. I learned in my work and education, just how impactful a couple's relationship is on their own well-being, on the mental health of those in their family (especially their children), and the greater community. I believe healthy couple relationships contribute to improved physical and mental health, thriving children and stronger communities.
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​The doors opened for me to begin working with a group practice in Knoxville, TN that specializes and trains their counselors specifically in an evidence-based therapy called Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). I fell in love with the work and process of EFCT as I began to experience and witness the effectiveness of this model to facilitate healing, restore hope, and give couples renewed security in their relationship once again. I have since become certified as an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist, meaning that I have undergone advanced training and intentional supervision while working with many couples to help them in the places of their deepest distress. I believe that becoming an effective couples' therapist isn’t a destination the clinician arrives at, rather it’s an ongoing journey of being open to growth and change. I am a lover of continuous learning, and have found that the couples I have had the privilege of working with have been some of my greatest teachers as I strengthened my skills through training and supervision, to better serve couples.