Meet Jaí Huntley

We recently connected with Jaí Huntley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaí, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I really like this question. I first need to acknowledge God for being with me every step of the way. As much as I’ve experienced during the course of my life, I can only thank God for his grace and mercy for protecting me and allowing me to see things through. During the course of my life, I’ve been blessed to witness my mother be resilient. Time and time again I’ve witnessed her stumble but I like to believe it was God’s grace that would catch her falls. The strength of a single black woman and mother is a force to be reckoned with. Witnessing countless days of tears. Witnessing countless times of prayer. Witnessing countless moments of maintaining a sense of faith. Needless to say, being resilient is my birthright.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a multifaceted clinical therapist with over 5 years of experience working with numerous types of clients. Within my clinical role, my work primarily consists of providing direct care to clients who experience co-occurring illnesses and addiction. I like to refer to myself as a wounded healer as I believe that my life experiences have guided me to engage in the work that I currently do. My process of helping others is playing a huge part in my own healing journey. When I’m not engaging in my 9-5, I’m working on my babies (my 2 year old and my personal wellness brand). My greatest passion is to build a community for generations to help educate on the topic of mental health in a way that can be understood and related to so that people can protect their mental health on a daily basis. I utilize my digital media platform to create content on topics that others can resonate with.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Yesss!! Let’s talk about it! Three qualities/skills/area’s of knowledge that has been the most impactful to me consist of being open to constructive criticism, holding self accountable, and going to therapy. All these things have contributed to my growth and healing journey tremendously. Constructive criticism has provided me with valuable insights into areas I needed to grow or improve. Accountability encourages me to take ownership of my actions and decisions. Leading me to more responsible behavior and intentional decision-making. Going to therapy has helped me gain introspection and self-awareness, helping me to understand my unhealthy patterns in my thoughts and behaviors, as well as how past experiences impacted my present.

If you’re early in your journey and you lack accountability, struggle with constructive criticism, and are in need of a therapist I would encourage you not to overwhelm yourself by trying to tackle everything at once. Focus on small, manageable goals that you can consistently work on. Celebrate the small victories, and gradually build up your discipline.Understand that holding yourself accountable isn’t about being perfect; it’s about learning and taking responsibility for your growth. Being accountable helps you build integrity and self-respect.

Try to view constructive criticism as a tool for growth rather than a personal attack. Feedback, even when difficult, is usually meant to help you improve, not tear you down. Embrace the idea that you are a work in progress. Constructive criticism is not a reflection of your worth but an avenue for improvement. Learning from feedback can open doors to personal and professional growth.

Therapy can be uncomfortable at first, especially when discussing difficult experiences. Remind yourself that therapy is a safe space designed for healing and growth. It’s okay to be vulnerable and take your time to open up. Remember, therapy is a tool for empowerment, not a sign of weakness. Seeking help is a brave and proactive step toward your healing journey. The discomfort you might feel is temporary and part of your healing journey.

How would you describe your ideal client?

Y’all are coming with some HEAT!! Lol. Honestly, my ideal client is someone who comes into therapy willing to do the hard things. Don’t get me wrong though, therapy isn’t always a walk in the park, but every step forward brings you closer to understanding and healing. My philosophy is that therapy is a collaborative process where we work together to identify and address the challenges you’re facing. In identifying those challenges, I provide an eclectic approach to our therapeutic relationship as I believe each person is unique and I can’t lead from a cookie cutter stance. Therapy is like planting a seed. Once rapport and trust has been established, I believe over time you’ll see the benefits as the seed transforms into a thriving plant, reflecting the personal growth and positive change achieved through your experience of therapy.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jordynn Nicholson
Madalynn Young Photography

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