Rick Hudson, Ph.D., LPCC

Choosing a counselor, therapist, coach or consultant can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. I offer this information about myself to help you better determine if I am someone with whom you'd be comfortable working.


I chose the name 'Level Up' because in video games and RPG's leveling up is about taking your experiences and using them to become stronger and better. That is what I think the process of counseling, therapy and coaching is all about, using your experiences to become an even better version of yourself.

So why nerds, weirdos and outcasts?

A) I am a bonafide, 20-sided-dice rolling, Buffy the Vampire Slayer loving, Han Solo shot first believing, comic book reading nerd myself. And B) I understand how exhausting, demoralizing and disempowering it is to try and supress who you are and what is important, interesting or deeply meaningful to you just because other people don't get it. Some of us relate to the world, and each other, through pop culture, art, film, music or other media. I wanted to create a space of radical acceptance where people could be themselves and talk about their feelings, thougths and expereinces through the fandom with which they identify. I want my clients to be able to say how much an episode of Steven Universe made them feel seen without fear of a blank stare. I want to create a counseling and coaching practice that celebrates being a nerd, whatever your nerdiness is about.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was in 2nd grade because that was the only thing they had at the time to try and explain why my intellengence and academic performance were so different (one being average and the other, not so much). I attended evening classes at the De Paul School here in Louisvlle but dyslexia as a diagnosis didn't fit and didn't help much for obvious reasons.

During my doctoral internship my supervisor said one day, "hey, I think you may have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) because I have it and can see you struggling with the same things as I do." My supervisor and I did some tesing and there it was, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Predominantly Inattentive type.

So I get ADHD on a personal level and hope to work with others with understanding themselves and accpeting the gifts and the challenges that come with having ADHD.

Education, Qualifications and License

Ph.D. in Educational and Counseling Psychology

University of Louisvlle



Masters in Counseling

University of Louisville

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors

License # 103034


Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling

University of Kentucky



Bachelors in Psychology

Murray State University