Today we’d like to introduce you to Engela Hepworth.
Hi Engela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in South Africa and lost both of my parents at a young age, which meant I spent my childhood moving through different homes. That was incredibly hard and it made me determined to make sense of that trauma and to make a difference in the lives of others. At 18, I moved to London with the help of someone who believed in me, and I worked hard to repay that kindness while figuring out how to channel my drive. Along the way, I was inspired by mentors who reminded me that while we can’t change our past, we can shape our future. That mindset led me to study psychology, counseling, and eventually a master’s in social work, all to better understand how to help people heal and grow. Today, my work is about empowering others not to stay stuck in their pain, but to rise above it and build meaningful, healthy relationships.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth. Beyond the personal losses I experienced early on, I had to work through my own trauma and go through counseling myself. Studying psychology and social work wasn’t just theoretical; I had to apply those lessons to my own life. Financially, it was tough too. In London, I worked long night shifts to pay for college, sometimes sleeping only a few hours before heading to class. But I was determined to fight for my future and to do what I felt called to do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about MetaVia Counseling LLC?
I run Metavia Counseling here in Georgia, where ‘Meta’ stands for the overall goal and ‘Via’ represents the path to get there. I specialize in blending psychotherapy with CBT and DBT tools, helping clients understand how their past influences their present, and equipping them with practical strategies to move forward. Clients often describe me as personable and trustworthy, someone they can connect with and feel comfortable opening up to. Currently, I offer virtual sessions and work diligently to accommodate different schedules, and I’m actively looking for an in-person office space in downtown Savannah. I see that as the next step—growing the practice and creating a space where other young counselors can complete their clinical hours and work alongside me.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, with an older sister and a twin sister. After losing our parents, I became very introverted and had a hard time expressing emotions, often withdrawing from the world. It took me a long time to open up again. Still, even then, I loved running and sports—running became my outlet and remains my go-to stress reliever today.
Pricing:
- I take insurance for sessions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://metaviacounseling.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metaviacounseling/?rdid=7zy6ox7UtUUIwuTj
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/engela-hepworth-lcsw-msw-01a7282b/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ocdunstuck
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/FmrgyYAH3kmKxpyTWnJJBw/
