Hi, my name is Autumn Hutto, and I am one of the many wonderful counselors at Pacifica Counseling. I have been interested in mental health and therapy since I was fifteen years old, sitting in my AP psychology class. I could never get enough of it. Understanding others, how the brain works, and—ultimately—why people are the way they are has fascinated me since. Over the years, I’ve found myself collecting books on all types of psychological topics from how trauma impacts the body to feminist theory. Often stopping to peruse the latest information on the subject in my free time.
When I was studying at the University of Georgia, I majored in social studies education with an emphasis in geography, primarily due to my interest in working with teens and my fascination with the circular and interconnected relationship between people and their environments. I also debated becoming a psychology teacher. However, during my student teaching semester, my professor and I realized I was far more interested in the social-emotional well-being of my teenage students than I was in the instruction aspect. This same professor, to whom I owe a lot of gratitude, encouraged me to seek a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to better work with and honor my national inclinations.
I took an entire year to consider if that was something I wanted to undertake. After deliberating, I decided to return to the passion I had at fifteen and applied to Mercer University’s Clinical Mental Health program. The work was long and hard. Sometimes, I worked late into the night and all weekend on assignments and projects while still working as a full-time teacher. I would not have had it any other way, though. I quickly found my areas of interest and took every opportunity possible to expand my understanding.
There are many specialties within mental health counseling I would like to specialize in, but I have found I am most interested in working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and sexual violence. I spent my year of clinical internship working with survivors of CSA and with those with problematic sexual behavior. Because of this experience, I feel confident in assisting clients through the recovery process. The work can be hard for clients but often the toughest step for my clients has been deciding to start the counseling process.
Additionally, I have an interest in helping people work through issues around personal identity, particularly with members of the queer community. Through my studies and personal experiences, I understand the challenges that accompany trying to understand one’s identity and the difficulties that coming out and maintaining your authentic self can bring. Together we can work towards a more integrated self.
In a world that sometimes misunderstands us, I hope to be a place of comfort and healing for my clients. There is something about lending a helping hand to those in need. I do not ask for perfection, but rather the opportunity to honor the lives of my client by bearing witness to their stories, struggles, and triumphant moments. Nothing gives me a sense of fulfillment more than being a calm constant in people's lives. If you or someone you know is struggling, our doors, and ears, are open.
