Dr. Justin S. Hopkins
Talking, yes talking, can actually enhance your life. It may sound a bit mysterious because therapy is a particular kind of talking that can be hard to explain. But first and foremost, it is a VERY open and honest conversation. It’s a meaningful talk where we are saying what is most important to say.This is actually very hard to do!
Because of past experiences where we’ve been hurt, disappointed, or misunderstood, we are naturally guarded in some way or another. It takes some time to build enough trust to be candid and less censored with each other.
We have subconscious internal roadmaps that guide us, learned from earlier parts of our lives.
Therapy is about investigating the patterns of thought and behaviors we’ve been following without question or forethought. It’s about considering the internal rules that have become our subconscious habits and reflexes.
In a good course of therapy, most of all, we come to know ourselves more, which is incredibly useful. More self-knowledge offers a measure of freedom. It can allow us to make a different choice in a given situation… or form a new perspective on something that was assumed.
Some therapies focus on weekly developments or symptoms but we go beyond that.
As a psychodynamic therapist, my focus is on moving beyond the surface to address the underlying issues that interrupt love, connection, joy, work, play, expressiveness, and feeling better.
When you begin therapy with me, you’re starting a journey of self-discovery. Together we will endeavour toward the wisdom within you – toward personal liberation, greater fulfilment, and a more meaningful life.
In our sessions, I’ll be attentive to you as a whole person. I have a genuine, relational style focused on helping us learn about you in-depth. We will use our relationship for your personal growth – as a window into you and your connection with others.
Through this process, I have witnessed remarkable changes in people’s lives. I’ve seen them work through childhood trauma, develop new habits and tools in relationships, grow into healthy self-love, and establish better roadmaps for personal fulfilment.
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
- Carl Jung
Psychology is my calling.
It’s been my life’s work since I was old enough to study it. An elective course in high school was enough to ignite my interest. I then chose psychology as my major at HAMPTON UNIVERSITY in Hampton, Virginia. I am a proud HBCU alumnus (if you couldn’t tell).
I went on to obtain my doctorate in clinical psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach. I then completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in psychodynamic therapy at The George Washington University here in DC.
I continue to further my expertise as a member of the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis.
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Some of my training and experience
I have extensive training and expertise in trauma, sociocultural development, systemic oppression, anxiety, and depression.
I also have a particular valence for the issues that plague attorneys. I worked as a staff psychologist for the Georgetown University Law Center, currently provide mental health services for three AM100 Law Firms, and just so happen to call a few lawyers “family.”
