We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Dana McNeil. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Dana below.
Dr. Dana, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I was working in the corporate world as a property damage claims adjuster for a large national insurance company. One of my tasks in my role at the company was to travel to areas in the united states that had been impacted by natural disasters. On one of my assignments took me to Alabama after a devastating tornado had pockmarked the landscape.
As you can imagine, these clients were traumatized by their experiences. They were often in shock and some experienced guilt about having survived when so many in their community hadn’t.
Many of them also didn’t have access to mental health care.
I soon realized that before I could settle their insurance claims, I would need to provide my clients with support and empathy so they could process their shock and be able to participate in meaningful conversations with me about their property claims.
I found a great sense of purpose in listening to and validating my client’s experiences as they shared how they had survived their trauma. I saw how helpful it was to them to debrief their feelings.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
So many exciting things happening for us! I recently launched a book called D-Spot Conversations: Navigating Today’s Complicated Relationships. The new book contains a series of interviews that were gathered as a collection of conversations with many of today’s top therapists and influencers in the mental health field. We take a deep dive on topics that impact most modern day relationships like ADHD, differences in sexual desire, and how to have conversations about opening up a relationship.
These conversations happened over the course of our first season of my podcast called The D Spot. I am the host and get the privilege of connecting with some of the best and brightest thought leaders in the mental health world. Every interview has shaped me to be a better more informed therapist and community member. I am loving the experience.
I also recently had the honor of speaking to the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists last month at our annual conference. I am really enjoying sharing my tips and tricks about how to serve the couples that are reaching out for relationship therapy. I am getting really inspired to create more trainings for therapists.
Additionally, I have been working with the Gottman Institute (I am a certified Gottman Therapist) to create more webinars and trainings, so become a better speaker and trainer is really on my radar!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
There is an awesome phrase that I have adopted that helps keep me inspired and positive when things get hard-Everything is Happening for ME not TO Me. When I look back on difficulties, disappointments, or times that I just couldn’t understand whys something didn’t fall into place for me that seemed so perfect-I remember this phrase. I actively evaluate and verbalize the gratitude that I have for those things that turned out differently then I hoped. Those unanswered wishes and goals have also taught me how to have grit, resilience, and lend to my sense of drive. All of those situations have brought me to who and where I am today.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is willing to role up their sleeves and do the work. The work can take many different forms: It can require a client to be curious versus furious with their partner and check in with them and ask clarifying questions as to the other person’s perspective. Sometimes it means to ask for your needs even when you don’t think you partner will be willing to do the thing you are asking. The ask is often times so you can hear yourself articulate your needs. Lastly, sometimes it requires we learn how to laugh at ourselves, our quirks, and the ways we sometimes take our selves too seriously.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danamcneil.com/
- Instagram: @drdanamcneil
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
DrDanaMcNeil/
Image Credits
Bianca Godfrey Photo
