Alex Shink
July 15, 2023

Angela Johnson, LPC, CCTP, Ed.D..

1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?

My practice focuses on processing and healing from trauma, specifically Childhood Sexual Trauma (CSA) and other sexual traumas. Additionally, clients come to me to explore and address areas related to Depression, Anxiety, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, and Relationships. For most clients I utilize Cognitive-Behavior Therapy to bring about self-awareness and change through exploring thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behavior patterns to bring about personal growth and insight.

2. Tell us about yourself. 

My motivation comes from collaborating with clients on identifying their treatment plans and seeing them reach their desired goals and growth. Initially I worked in private practice honing and enhancing my skills and being encouraged from a mentor to grow and develop my business. I then started my practice after arriving to DC from Detroit, MI and each day, since then, work with my clients nourishes me to get up every morning and do the work that I enjoy.

3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.

It's difficult to narrow down any one specific client I am most proud of helping, but I would have to say I am most proud of all of my clients who demonstrate growth and healing on their mental health journey. Seeing clients who have experienced sexual traumas, either in childhood or in adulthood make me the proudest when I see them develop the healthy skills in coping, building healthy intimate and personal relationships, and have an inner sense of peace.

4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?

One of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice is making sure to have a healthy balance in building and growing your practice and taking time off for yourself to make sure you are still engaging in your personal life with family and friends. Learning the business of building a practice can be an exciting process, and my advice is to make sure you have professional networks and relationships with colleagues and learn how to ask for help!

5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\

The top 3 tips I would give to anyone looking to start, run, and grow a private practice today are:


  1. Build professional networks, relationships, and join your professional associations and become familiar with your organizations Code of Ethics.
  2. Understand the business side of running and growing a private practice, getting on insurance panels, understanding medical billing, having an assistant, obtaining a great accountant, and having a good practice location.
  3. SELF-CARE, SELF-CARE!

6. Where can people find you?

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