Embracing Mental Health: A Genuine Conversation with Natalie Thomas
In today's fast-paced world, taking a moment for mental wellness can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. Fortunately, advocates like Natalie Thomas are creating spaces for genuine healing and understanding. In a recent episode of Dallas: Texas: What's Good Podcast, hosted by Brianna Jovahn, Natalie Thomas shared her journey from a school counselor to a mental health expert. Her story and insights inspire us to re-evaluate how we approach mental health and personal growth.
Creating a Safe Space for Well-being
Natalie’s journey began with observing how therapy sometimes falls short due to mismatched modalities and the resulting client drop-off. Recognizing this as a problem, Natalie set out to create a practice that delivers what clients truly need. She emphasizes the importance of using solution-focused brief therapy, which spotlights problem-solving rather than just conversation.
Who is Natalie Thomas?
Getting to know Natalie is crucial to understanding her approach. A former educator and school counselor, Natalie has always been drawn to mental health, inspired by her mother's example of seeking help and encouraging self-improvement. This background of education and mental health advocacy sets the stage for her current practice.
Addressing Mental Health in Conversations
In her discussion with Brianna, Natalie emphasized that people often discuss their issues with friends without finding solutions. She stresses the importance of not just talking about problems but actively seeking pathways to growth and healing.
Unplugging: A Strategy for Reset
Natalie shares her personal routine for resetting after a demanding day. She emphasizes the importance of unplugging, even if just for a few brief moments, to recharge and maintain mental wellness. This specific technique of unplugging for 15 to 30 minutes daily showcases a simple yet vital strategy for maintaining mental health.
Exploring Core Beliefs for Transformation
Core beliefs shape how we interact with the world and ourselves. Natalie talks about guiding her clients through identifying and transforming toxic self-talk and core beliefs. This process helps individuals confront those beliefs, which often operate unseen yet significantly impact their mental health.
Helping High Achievers Battle Perfectionism
For high achievers, the demand for perfection can be detrimental. Natalie shares her personal journey as a "perfectionist in recovery," discussing how recognizing and addressing perfectionist tendencies can alleviate stress and anxiety.
The Remix Center: Expanding Mental Health Support
Natalie's experience in mental health education has culminated in the creation of The Remix Center. She realized that to make a broader impact, she needed to operate in a space unrestricted by conventional frameworks. The center caters to individuals and organizations alike, offering tailored mental health workshops and counseling services to a wide range of clients.
Navigating Lows and Celebrating Highs
Natalie candidly discusses the challenges and successes of her entrepreneurial journey. Overcoming the pressure of doing too much and finding a mentor to guide her on this path highlights the importance of support and collaboration in mental health advocacy.
Conclusion
From our conversation with Natalie Thomas, it's clear that mental health and wellness are deeply personal journeys that require time, patience, and the right guidance. Her story encourages us to seek support, change our mindsets, and ultimately embrace the growth that comes from understanding ourselves better. Whether through therapy, coaching, or enhancing spiritual practices, Natalie advocates for us all to strive for a better tomorrow. In her words, "Just start working on that mindset to get ready for growth."