Mr. William Hoffman III

LPC, LPCC

I strongly believe in and advocate for the power of individuals to change. In my own life, I’ve faced challenges where change felt impossible. Yet, looking back on my journey, I see that even when I fell short of a goal or challenge, there were opportunities to learn and grow—and from those moments came the possibility of change.

This is a tough question, but I chose it, so I’ll answer as best I can—sort of! I don’t think I can pick just one movie or book that influenced my approach, so instead, I’ll choose one song and one poem. The song is by my favorite band, The Grateful Dead, and it’s called "Scarlet Begonias." There’s a lyric that goes, "Once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right." I’ve always found that profound; it reminds me that we can learn and grow if we’re willing to see ourselves and our surroundings with open, objective eyes. The poem is "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, specifically the last stanza: "It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." I have this poem framed in my office because I feel it speaks to our ability to walk through life’s challenges, to change, and to overcome.