We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raven Beal. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raven below.
Hi Raven, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Caring for yourself, wholly, is something you learn. No one wakes up one day and just loves all of themselves, so rituals, practices, and traditions must be established that continually register to your mind, body, and spirit that love is present and active. Learning to care for yourself is a lifelong journey, but it is also an art, in which, you are the artist. You and God are the only ones who know what feeds your soul, and it is your duty to make sure you get your soul food.
Coloring, playing tennis, and catching up on my favorite TV shows, cleaning my space, reading a good novel, a good facial, spending time with God, and getting my nails/hair done are some of my favorite ways to intentionally participate in self-care. They are easy, non-pressurized activities that makes me feel like a kid again. I don’t do it often, but when I do, it gives me 15-20 minutes of calm, creative freedom, where there is no standard. I don’t have to be anything to anybody. I am the artist, and I get to exhale, and get a quick recharge.
When I am recharged and have filled my own cup back up, I find it incredibly easier to create my schedules and goals, and take actionable steps towards my dreams. It makes it easier because as I continue to give to others, I have adequately given to myself so I don’t feel depleted and worn out.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As a relationship coach, I help you identify issues, limiting beliefs, goals, strategies, and tracking mechanisms to help you see and accomplish active, positive change within your relationships. We put you (the client) in the driver’s seat, help you navigate your thoughts, emotions, and goals, and provide the structure to do so safely and efficiently. It becomes a more personal relationship, as I use not only my Masters in Psychology (with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling), but also incorporating my own experiences, wisdom, and the lessons I have learned along the way. I help with improving one’s self-esteem, how you might speak to yourself and others, addressing issues, and coming up with goals and action plans for accomplishing things a client might want in a relationship. Also, I find myself being a listening ear, or a neutral third party, to help mediate and deepen expression between a client and themselves or whoever they are in a relationship with.
Currently, I offer 4 virtual services: Free consultation for those who aren’t sure where to start and need a little help. I have 30-minute check-ins for those who need a little help getting started on their healing journey, want to test it out, or maybe just want to do a quick mental health check-in. Also, I have normal, 1-hr sessions for those who have specific things they’d like to discuss and are interested in working together on a plan of action that best suits them.
Lastly, I have 1.5-hour sessions for those who need a little more time than the 1-hr session. Although some individuals really need that extra 30 minutes to get to a good stopping point, these sessions are typically taken by couples or groups, like friends or mothers and daughters. Currently, I am creating 12-week packages for the 3 most important relationships in a person’s life, digital workbooks, and ebooks, so stay tuned for that!
I am also a budding influencer and content on Instagram. My niche is the lifestyle, wellness, and faith spheres. My page is a safe space where women can come to be authentic; be poured into; prioritize wellness; heal and grow; expose their inner soft girl; find sisterly love, support, and advice; share their thoughts on the topics we discuss; and love Jesus and life out loud!
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?
Imposter Syndrome has been tough for me. I started getting more clients when I was going through some relational issues of my own. I asked, “Am I qualified enough to really give these people advice and help when I am in the mess I’m in?” I didn’t feel called, or qualified, or set apart. As a matter of fact, I felt the opposite–like I didn’t belong. However, that still small voice on the inside of me reminded me ever so gently, that these trials are only going to make you better, that everything is being worked together for my good, you will forever be learning, and I have to go through things to be able to give my absolute best to my clients.
For me, my spirituality is of the utmost importance. My spirituality connects me to the Holy Spirit, and he’ll tell me sometimes, “This isn’t your client, move on”. Sometimes, I’ll know off the rip that the client I’m meeting with is absolutely a perfect fit. On top of that, I’ll get a nudge to do certain things, start brainstorming projects, products, or promotions. I’ll get what I like to call, “downloads” that stretch my creative skills. More than that, this is the baby God chose to birth through me, so my spirituality is like my inner compass on what I will and will not do or cooperate in.
I also think have wisdom and support was one of the most impactful pieces of my journey. I was surrounded by people who could pour into me, tell me their experiences and help me navigate personal and professional life, and avoid pitfalls that they had to endure, as well as help me shift my perspective on things throughout my journey. Having support when you are starting and even getting into the thick of whatever it is that you do, is very essential. This journey can get very lonely and dark, but having the genuine support celebrating every win, holding you when you’re done, holding you accountable, encouraging you, and seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is paramount.
My biggest piece of advice would be to have experience and success in whatever you’re trying to coach other people in. Therapists have their degrees and licensure, but as a coach, for those who may not have degrees and a background in psychology like I do, our experiences and our lives are our currency. What transparency can you bring to the table? What real-life experiences can you offer? What have you overcome? Sometimes that may translate to getting a degree or a certification, but you don’t need that to start.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents disciplined me. My parents instilled a work in me like no other. When it comes to discipline, it trumps emotion and circumstance. Work ethic is present whether I am sick or tired, and it is only recently that I am learning to rest and be okay with it. It was actually my dad who pulled me aside and told me that I need to prioritize rest, that the work will be there. So, now, merging the discipline, work ethic, and finding the value in rest has balanced me out to work and hard and play hard. Rest is productive, and allowing yourself the space to just be, however you are, right now, and take up space is a form of appreciation of self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesoullab.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relatablyraven/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-beal-28a53b196/
Image Credits
Raven Beal Kaitlin Johnson Edward Beal
