Hidden Gems: Meet Bethany Otten of Otten Counseling PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Otten.

Hi Bethany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Before pursuing a career, I spent time traveling and photographing the world after college. I have loved traveling abroad and have been to over 20 countries. In 2012, I traveled to Thailand and fell in love with yoga while volunteering at a yoga meditation retreat center. I had a colorful career before landing my current role as a mental health counselor. Before I found my passions, I stumbled upon careers that were not the right fit. After getting my real estate license and working in commercial real estate for some time, I started to follow my passions. I became a certified yoga teacher and became serious about my love for yoga. I developed my love for photography professionally and began running a photography business full-time while teaching yoga.

Going to India to continue my education as a yoga instructor was a pivotal time in my life. I donated over 20 inches of my hair, buzzed my head, and went on an adventure that led me to many self-realizations. I decided that I was seeking something further in life that was more than photography and yoga.

I also discovered Reiki while I was in India, began training myself, and became a Reiki master. This process helped me with my realization that I wanted to pursue counseling. With my struggles in the past with mental health, I never thought I could help someone else. I realized that my past is what would make me an excellent therapist. Doors began to open to make that happen. I gained experience in schools as an assistant teacher. I also spent time as a prevention specialist at a treatment center and a certified peer support specialist, allowing me to teach yoga to out-patient clients in substance treatment. I began my Master’s of Arts in Counseling in of 2019 and graduated in 2021. During a pandemic, I met the challenge of undergoing my studies while gaining experience as a middle school counselor in the public school system.

Originally, I had the desire to become a middle school counselor. My anxiety and troubles started in middle school and motivated me to help that population. I wanted to be the counselor that I wish I had. My path changed when I did not find the right fit at a school after graduation. I pivoted and began my career as a mental health counselor. I discovered that I enjoyed working with people more emotionally than I did academically. From there, I began working as a mental health counselor at a private practice. I was so grateful for my experience working with another private practice, but my entrepreneurial spirit and experience running a photography business gave me the drive to open up my virtual private practice. Additionally to my private practice, I started contracting as a mental health therapist at a high school. I also began contracting as a counselor at a treatment center, where I lead group sessions for addiction and mental health while incorporating mindfulness and yoga.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Before I was able to smile genuinely, I walked through the pain. I attribute my self-growth to counseling, mindfulness, yoga, Ayurveda, and help from my recovery community. Starting in middle school, I experienced overwhelming anxiety, which led to depression and feelings of hopelessness. This later turned to struggles with addiction. Since July 6, 2013, I am proud to say that I entered and maintained a long-term recovery from substances. After entering recovery, I learned how to navigate my emotions and embrace myself fully. When this happened, my career began to blossom, which led me down the path to becoming a counselor.

The stigma around mental health and addiction is undeniable. I believe that when people are willing to share their stories, it can help others not feel so alone. It may even break down some of the fear of asking for help. With that said, I find it important to be willing to share my own story.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I run a virtual private practice for counseling and serve Clients in North Carolina Statewide, including Raleigh. While I live in Charlotte, the beauty of telehealth is that it makes my services accessible to any resident of NC.

I offer specialized counseling that provides Clients with choices of traditional techniques, holistic approaches, or complementary therapy options. My counseling is filtered through a holistic and creative lens. I integrate traditional psychotherapy techniques (such as CBT) with new ground-breaking treatments, including mindfulness techniques, meditation, breath work, trauma-informed yoga, and energy work (also known as distant Reiki).

With my photography and musician background Client may also utilize expressive arts in sessions. My stance is to look at the WHOLE person to treat an individual. This includes the mind, body, and spirit. I enjoy working with a wide age range that spans from Client’s starting in middle school to adults up to age 70. So I serve a broad age group that spans between ages 10 to 70. Clients have choices to utilize traditional therapy, holistic counseling, or both. I welcome all people and backgrounds, including the disadvantaged, advantaged, marginalized, and LGBTQ+ folx. As I also identify LGBTQ+, I am passionate about providing mental health services to that community as counseling is highly needed across this population.

No problem or challenge a Client is experiencing is too big or too small. My desire to become a therapist comes from my desire to share the insight, tools, and techniques that changed my own life.

Recovery from addiction and a history of my struggles with mental health gives me insight into what it is like to struggle and the hard work needed to make major life changes. My own life experience set me apart from other counselors. Truly understanding and being able to relate to anxiety, depression, addiction, and other struggles with mental health can not just be read about in books. My education can not be bought or studied; which gives me gratitude for what I have overcome so I can help others.

I have a colorful background with an assortment of training that has laid the foundation for my holistic specializations as a mental health counselor. I have taught yoga since 2015 as a certified RYT 500 instructor, studied Reiki since 2016, traveled the world, and photographed professionally.

I believe that change is possible for my clients and a client’s ability to thrive. In counseling sessions, the focus is on a Client’s journey, and together we discover what their goals, passions, and desires are for their own unique life. I hold space for Clients that provide compassion and acceptance.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories included hanging out at a neighborhood pool and competing in swim meets. Starting from a young age, I was athletic, creative, and spunky. I marched to the beat of my drum. I was one of the youngest swimmers and started riding a bike without training wheels at age 3. I was always outside, including playing in the creek to catch fish or frogs. I also loved spending time with my grandparents and family as a child. I looked forward to spending a couple of weeks in Ohio every summer to visit them.

Pricing:

• Current pricing for my services may be found on my website.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ottencounseling.com
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bethany-otten-charlotte-nc/880039

Image Credits
All self portraits taken by myself or on my phone and someone took it for me who was not a professional after I set it up