For Matt Adkins, becoming a counselor was a career change rooted in a desire to help people and create meaningful connections. Now, as the newest counselor at JFS Richmond, Matt is bringing a unique background and perspective to his work with clients.
Originally from Kentucky, Matt has called Richmond home for the past 25 years. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he studied illustration and art, before spending 15 years working in the wine industry. His career included working in restaurants and with wine importers, experiences that gave him the opportunity to meet and connect with people from all walks of life.
Five years ago, Matt decided it was time for a change. He returned to school to pursue a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling at William & Mary, beginning a new chapter focused on helping others navigate their own challenges and transitions.
Matt was drawn to JFS in part because of the balance the organization offered. Since Matt has a family, finding a workplace that allowed him to balance his career and family was important.
“I’ve heard of JFS, but didn’t really know anything about it,” Matt said. “I was just looking for a place that would allow me to balance things. I have a young family. I have two kids and a wife.”
What Matt enjoys most about counseling is the unpredictability of every client and every session. Even after working with someone for years, he says, there is always something new to discover.
“It’s unpredictable,” he said. “I don’t know what my clients are going to say, even the people that I’ve worked with for years, people that I know really well. It’s also the thing that I think keeps it fresh.”
For Matt, one of the most rewarding parts of counseling is watching people recognize their own ability to change.
“I love seeing people and having a front-row view of people making changes in their life, watching people surprise themselves, do things that they never thought they would be able to do,” he said.
With a creative background, years of experience working with people and a new career dedicated to mental health counseling, Matt is excited to bring his experiences to JFS and to see where each new client’s journey takes them.
If you would like to work with Matt, contact JFS today at (804) 282-5644.
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