Hope Academy Supervisors

Henry Bruns, Director

Henry is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved Supervisor in the state of Virginia. Henry has been with Hope for Tomorrow since August 2020 and earned his Master’s in Professional Counseling as well as his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Liberty University.

Henry’s primary role with the organization is as the Director for the Hope Academy of Counselor Excellence where he oversees the operations of the program and supervises counselors-in-training.

As a supervisor, he has  provided over 5 years of supervision to master’s-level QMHP-C’s and QMHP-A’s, graduate students, and resident counselors across a variety of settings, including in-home services, crisis services, and outpatient counseling services. During his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, he received training in supervision theories and received feedback regarding his provision of supervision.

As a supervisor he is continuing to grow in his knowledge and implementation of supervision within the competency-based model, but he typically follows a developmental model working with each supervisee from their current levels of competence in core counselor competencies. Throughout this supervision experience, I will take on different roles at different times – teacher, consultant, counselor, and evaluator.

Counselors-in-training can expect to receive affirmations that identify their strengths and compassionate critiques to address opportunities for growth. The purpose of these compassionate critiques is for the counselor’s development and protection of clients and the field. Hope Academy provides Henry and other supervisors with the opportunity to use a variety of tools and methods for providing affirmations and compassionate critiques during supervision. These tools include: reviewing audio/video recorded sessions, measuring client outcomes and the quality of the therapeutic relationship, giving the supervisee an opportunity to evaluate supervisor competence, and measuring the quality of the supervisory relationship.

Amy Dove

Amy completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology at Radford University before attending Virginia Tech in the Counselor Education masters program where she graduated in 2013. She then obtained her LPC license in 2018.

Amy has worked in several therapeutic settings which include public schools, inpatient crisis, and outpatient. Amy has worked with clients on a variety of issues including, anxiety, depression, autism, relationship issues, trauma, behavioral problems, and impulse control.

Amy uses an eclectic approach to therapy and primarily uses Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral, Behavioral, and Support therapy. Although she works with clients of all ages, her primary focus is with teens and young adults.

Amy resides in Lynchburg with her husband, their two dogs and cat. She loves taking her dogs for walks, going to the lake, and spending time with friends and family.

Dan West, HA Supervisor

Dan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved supervisor in the state of Virginia.  Dan holds a BS in Psychology from Longwood University, MEd (Community Counseling), and a MBA from Liberty University. 

Dan’s primary role with the organization is as a Ministry Lead and Director of Camps, Conferences, and Facilities.  As the director of our experiential education services, Dan has over two decades of experience as a behavioral health and performance consultant, business owner, nonprofit executive, and mental health practitioner.

Dan has participated in specialized training in a number of research-based programs for children and adults and has extensive knowledge and experience in the development and implementation of services dedicated to assisting others. He has provided numerous workshops, training, and consultations focused on mental health and behavioral services for youth and families, both locally and throughout the state.

Additionally, Dan is a certified fitness professional and multi-sport coach. One of his greatest joys is participating in extreme outdoor adventure sports and sharing such experiences with his beautiful wife and two children. Regardless of the setting; in the office, on the field, or on the court, Dan approaches life with passion and purpose. With more than 20 years as a supervisor in the field and leveraging his knowledge of business, Dan offers a structured approach to the supervision process that follows a model of strategic planning, growth, and continuous improvement with a heavy emphasis on measurable outcomes and relational integrity.  Dan desires to see those he supervises grow both clinically and professionally.   Counselors-in-training can expect to receive an approach that offers a  blueprint for understanding professional strength and areas of improvement, with a clear plan to help you reach your career goals. 

Lauren Showalter

Lauren is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved Supervisor in the commonwealth of Virginia. Lauren also is a National Certified Counselor through the NBCC. Lauren has been with Hope for Tomorrow since the Spring of 2020 and earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington VA in 2009. Lauren has opened her own private practice in Farmville VA, Thrive Counseling and Wellness, where she sees adults, teens, and children while also teaching mindfulness skills to the community. Lauren has a passion for working with residents on their journey towards licensure, so she continues to provide clinical supervision through the Hope Academy at Hope for Tomorrow.

As a supervisor, Lauren has provided over 10 years of supervision to master’s-level QMHP-C’s, graduate interns, and resident counselors across a variety of settings, including in-home services, therapeutic day treatment, and outpatient counseling services. Lauren also worked as a clinical director at an agency where she had the opportunity to supervise multiple residents and oversee various clinical programs.

Lauren’s clinical work is client centered and humanistic in nature, so her supervision style follows the same method. Lauren meets the resident where they are, helping them develop their skills as a counselor. As a supervisor, she will take on different roles such as teacher, consultant, counselor, and evaluator. Lauren enjoys focusing on making sure residents feel heard and supported in their work, and that supervision can be a safe place to work through clinical issues. Lauren also enjoys gently challenging residents to reach their full potential through positive critiques.

Supervision with Lauren would include weekly supervision meetings, on-call crisis support, reviewing of audio/video recorded sessions, reviewing of paperwork/documentation, resource sharing, and outcomes measurement review.