About Ginny     
Full Life Counseling was founded in 2008 because I became aware of several families whose need for services was tragically complicated by the families' need for privacy. As they loved and tried to support the person affected by alcohol or drugs, they did so in silence and virtually alone. I have dedicated over 20 years to helping others, and I now dedicate my life to helping individuals and families achieve their own definition of "a full life." I believe that a full life can only be achieved when our lives are free from addiction, despair and fear.

Like all professional counselors, I take confidentiality very, very seriously. As the daughter of a prominent elected official and granddaughter of a judge and a pastor, I understand the need for privacy in sensitive matters.I have special appreciation for those who have achieved success and prominence in their communities and how that success increases the need for discretion and privacy.

Since 1986, I have served as a professional counselor and behavioral health administrator in both the public and private sectors. Among my professional experiences, I served as:

  • Chief Clinical Officer for Partnership for a Drug-Free NC
  • Program Manager for a residential substance abuse treatment program through Wake Forest University Baptist Behavioral Health, and
  • Director of Church & Community Relations for Trinity Center. 

Even when serving in administrative and management roles, I have always maintained a caseload of clients and have continued to develop my craft as a counselor. I served on the NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board before beginning a 3 year sabbatical to serve on the mission field in southern Mexico. 

While developing the program for WFU Baptist Behavioral Health, I received extensive training from Hazelden representatives from Minnesota and Florida. This training from one of the premier treatment providers in the world advanced my understanding of the disease of addiction and the processes of intervention and treatment and gave me the ability to evaluate treatment facilities more effectively. I completed the Professionals in Residency Program at Hanley Hazelden in West Palm Beach, FL and over 3000 hours of training by Hazelden's clinical and administrative staff.

My credentials include:

  • Over 25 years of service in the behavioral health fields of addiction and mental health
  • Wake Forest University graduate, MAEd in Community Counseling ('96) and BA ('85)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (#2943)
  • Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist
  • EMDR Level II Certified Counselor (trauma recovery technique)
  • 3000+ hours of training & mentoring by Hazelden professionals

I do not believe that anyone sets out to develop problems with alcohol or drugs, and I make no judgments about a person's character, morals, intelligence or upbringing if such problems develop. I believe that teenagers and older adults are especially prone to develop these problems accidentally, and I have a special place in my heart for those special populations. Not everyone who experiences problems with alcohol or drugs is addicted but I do believe that earlier detection reduces the risk of developing an addiction and may reduce the risk for major health, legal, school or employment consequences due to use. 

I appreciate that understanding the past is often critical to understanding the present and that relationships with others can profoundly influence our lives. For those who are well along the road of recovery, individual and/or group counseling is available to explore unresolved trauma, codependency, family of origin issues, parenting or relationship issues. I encourage mid-stage recovery clients doing this kind of work to continue or even increase participation in support groups and work with sponsors so that recovery efforts are not undermined by the emotional upheaval that may naturally occur with this kind of important therapy work.

Most of all, I do not want people to suffer alone simply because they guard their privacy so much that they will not seek services. That's why I am willing to meet with families in their homes or in other public but discreet locations if it will help make getting services a little easier.

Full Life Counseling is here to serve and support each individual and their family so that they may achieve their own definition of "a full life." In general, that means enjoying loving and supportive relationships, productive activities, a sense of power and control over one's own destiny, and opportunities to have fun. But just like the fingerprint, each individual is unique. It's your definition of a full life that matters most of all.