Coming Into Focus

Jay and Carlie (AKA: The Positive Hairstylist) reflect on their first week of yoga in this month's "30 Day Challenge." The two discuss their experience after engaging in 5 different online yoga videos. Both discuss frustrations with their current skill level, but express optimism for what might change in the weeks to come. Jay and Carlie also share about their interesting experience with Yoga Nidra.
Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group
Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

On this episode, Jay sits down with Andy Laub. Andy is a certified tea master, a mindfulness expert, and sound healing practitioner, and just an all around interesting dude. Andy also happened to be the very first guest that Jay recorded with, but for whatever reason the episode wasn't published until now. Andy, and Jay discuss the path that led him to tea, ways to develop mindfulness practices other than just sitting and breathing, which incidentally opens a discussion about a shared interest in contemplative photography, and the two finish off strong with a great conversation about fear, faith, and gratitude. This episode covers all the bases, and does not disappoint.
Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website

On this episode Jay sits down with Ian Depew. Ian is a longtime friend, who also happens to be a colleague in the mental health field, and was actually Jay's first employer when he became a therapist. Ian is extremely talented and amazing at what he does, but it’s always nice to be around someone who doesn’t take themselves so seriously... as you'll see. Ian goes into detail about the incredible program, Rock to Recovery, that he works for, and the two have a discussion about interventions and Ian’s other work as an interventionist. Ian has such great energy and is a blast to be around, which you'll no doubt pick up on. Enjoy!

On this episode Jay sits down with Dr. Laura Louis. Dr. Louis is a licensed psychologist working out of Atlanta, GA, and the owner of Atlanta Couple Therapy. Dr. Louis is also an author, a highly sought after speaker, and a coach to other clinicians that are looking to break into the speaking arena. Dr. Louis and Jay share a love for working with couples, so you can bet they get into some great relationship conversations. The two also dig into the details of her book, her workshops and how she got into coaching other therapists in the realm of public speaking. Dr. Louis seems to do it all, and they cover it all! Enjoy!
The "Coming Into Focus" podcast is supported Hemp Health One. Head over to www.hemphealthone.com to check out their full line of products. Listeners of the podcast can also receive 20% off at checkout by using code: focus20
Dr. Laura Louis' Links:
Atlanta Couple Therapy
www.drlauralouis.com
Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website

When I started school to become a therapist, I sort of unknowingly entered a program that had a huge social justice component. I was extremely uninformed in the area of social justice, which isn’t surprising considering that as a white straight male I’m not often directly impacted by many of these issues. Being uneducated on these topics, I found myself becoming defensive often and speaking from a place of authority about things I really knew nothing about. Some of my defensiveness was directly related to feeling comments were an attacking me, and some of it was out of complete ignorance... which is ultimately why having open dialogues often felt like an attack.

I used to feel frustrated thinking “It’s not my job to tell other people how to live their lives. My focus is to resolve mental health issues.” I couldn’t see how these larger systemic issues had anything to do with mental health. It was truly eye opening over the years to come to learn that these issues don’t affect MY mental health because of the bubble of privilege that protects me from them.

Since leaving school, I have continued to be educated daily from experiences with my clients. I have worked with clients of multiple different ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientations, and I have come to realize more and more that in order to be the therapist I want to be, I need to continue seeking education and self-reflection in the areas that are in my blind-spots.

I remain committed to being being better and doing better, not only for myself but for everyone I come into contact with.

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website