MEET
DR. BRITTANY GERRINGER
Greensboro & Telehealth Office
Hi, I’m Brittany. I'm so glad you're here.....and, since you found your way here, I hope you know that:
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YOU DESERVE COMPASSION
Yup, even you! Isn't it interesting how so many of us have learned to be caring and empathetic and compassionate toward and of others, yet still struggle to turn that same care, empathy, and compassion toward ourselves?
My job is to support you with gentle care and grounded hope so that you can live a more full, joyous, and meaningful life. One in which you gift yourself room to be human, to make mistakes, to get back up after you've fallen, to rest when you're weary, and to push yourself when you're ready,
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Change Happens
Once We Accept Where We are
I believe change happens when we fully acknowledge exactly where we are (with kindness and compassion and gentleness) and feel like we have the support to feel hopeful and empowered to embark on the journey of change.
YOU DESERVE HEALING & PEACE
It's not always easy to just "accept where you are." Anyone who has experienced life-altering ​trauma, loss, enduring pain, or even genetics that don't match up with what or how we expected or want our body to be, knows this. Since you found your way here, I assume you know this.
I know this. For me, it was a life-altering car crash that left me and two loved ones severely injured and hospitalized that challenged this idea of life acceptance. Not knowing if we would all make it. Experiencing intense body pain. Having to relearn how to walk. Having to live with a fear of driving. Having to navigate the legal system to seek justice. Life isn't always easy to accept.
YOU DESERVE SUPPORT
I still remember the moment when a therapist came in my hospital room and provided trauma-informed care. It was such an anchor for me in the midst of so much turbulence. The support she offered us was so transformational and almost immediately clarified for me what path I wanted to pursue of offering that same healing, person-centered, support to others.
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I WANT YOU WELL​
Not in the diet culture, ableist, perfectionistic sense of the word. ​But in the fullest sense of what it means to experience *wellness* in your body. Whatever that means for you.
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I WANT TO HELP YOU EXPERIENCE CONNECTION
The people who come to me are often lacking a sense of connection. Sometimes with themselves or with other people. Often, it's a lack of connection with their own body. Lacking connection with oneself is really disorienting and can lead to feelings of fear, unsafety, despair, and loneliness. Lack of connection can also propel us to seek or engage in behaviors that don't align with what we want for ourselves. I'd love to help you feel more connected and grounded in ways that propel you toward a life that feels not only easier to accept but perhaps even exciting and invigorating to embrace. I want it to feel easier for you to be here.
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If you're ready to pursue acceptance and change and deeper connection, I’m ready to support you on that path.
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READY TO CONNECT?​
Want more specifics about my training and experience?
Read on below:
MY EDUCATION
I received my BA in Psychology from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. My Master’s degree is in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I received this degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). I also received my PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from UNCG.
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MY THEORETICAL APPROACH:
As a counselor, my primary approach is using a Person-Centered theoretical perspective. This means that I believe that healing and change starts with having a warm, empathetic, and affirming person listening to you. I strongly believe in an egalitarian relationship between counselor and client, meaning that I will not force you to do anything that you do not want to do or are uncomfortable with. I will however, offer you some techniques and suggestions that you are welcome to accept or refute. In line with a Person-Centered approach, I value each client as a unique constellation of identities and experiences and work to continually honor this in our work.
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I believe that the best approach to counseling is to personalize techniques used for each client on an individualized basis as I get to know you. Therefore, I also may use some techniques pulled from other theoretical perspectives including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (changing thoughts to change behaviors), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (which uses techniques such as mindfulness to accept that some thoughts cannot be changed), mind/body connections (what is your body telling you?), goal setting, looking at life in the here and now but also at previous experiences, the empty chair technique (from Gestalt therapy). I also enjoy using creative interventions such as art and music. Specific to eating disorders and body image, I operate from a weight inclusive, Fat Positive, and Intuitive Eating approach and philosophy.
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I am trained in Brainspotting, a brain-based trauma protocol that helps clients identify, process, and release core neurophysiological sources of emotional and body pain, trauma, and dissociation.
MY CREDENTIALS
I am currently licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Associate (#A15136) in the state of North Carolina and am a National Certified Counselor (#1232235).
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MY EXPERIENCE:
It has been my honor to work in several different settings with clients with a variety of backgrounds, identities, and presenting concerns. The primary populations that I have worked with are teens, college students, adults, and older adults, particularly those with disordered eating, particularly binge eating, body image concerns, depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal ideation, work/life balance, academic concerns, identity and developmental concerns, and life transitions. I also have experience in trauma work, substance use concerns, and integrating spirituality in counseling.
I have experience performing substance use screenings and brief interventions at a Level 1 Trauma Center, have worked at an interdisciplinary outpatient medical center, and in a college counseling center. While I primarily work with counseling individuals, I do have group experience as well, and in the past have created and co-facilitated an arts-based body image group.
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In addition to my counseling experience, I have experience facilitating clinical supervision and teaching at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
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PERSONAL:
I am all about keeping balance in my life. When I am not in counselor mode, I love spending time with my family and our retired racing greyhound, Loki. Anywhere that I can be with my family is my happy place! I enjoy cooking and baking (especially with ingredients grown in my garden!), attending concerts and plays, gardening, and traveling. My favorite place I have travelled to has to be Venice, Italy, where I spent a semester abroad. The people are so warm and genuine and the food is incredible! My favorite way to move my body depends on how I’m feeling each day. Sometimes gently with Pilates, yoga, or walking in nature and sometimes I like to feel more strong or intense by strength training and cardio (including running around the yard with my dog!)
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