We recently connected with Courtney Loyd, PhD and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best advice you’ve ever given to a client? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

“Identify the trigger, alleviate the symptom”

It was my first time meeting with this particular client. She had been referred for trauma therapy. I remember her being completely disheveled and extremely tearful. She could hardly breath at the start of the session. The doctor wanted her to start taking medication to help with anxiety.

As usual we begin to discuss what brought her to therapy, and she explained that she had been having severe anxiety “out of nowhere”. I explored when the symptoms started and what events might have occurred prior to the anxiety. She explained that nothing happened except her daughter and grandkids had moved in with her two weeks prior. I was able to draw a parallel between when her symptoms started and when daughter and grandkids moved in. Although she didn’t necessarily see it in the moment, it was clear to me that this moment that should have been exciting, was actually a trigger for my client. We explored the history and relationship between the client and her daughter. We also discussed other living arrangements for her daughter. I prayed with her and we agreed to follow up the next week.

The next week we met and she looked like a completely different person! Her hair was done. She was smiling and had showed no signs of anxiety. What changed? Her daughter and grandkids had relocated. She stated, “I didn’t need medicine. I needed you”. I was beyond thrilled that I was able to help her identify the trigger so that she could alleviate her anxiety.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Dr. Courtney J. Loyd. Personally, I am a wife and mom of two children. Professionally, I am a licensed addiction counselor, faith and trauma coach, and a psychology professor. However, above all, I am a woman of faith.

I have been in the mental health field for 13 years. I started out in case management when I obtained my bachelors degree in psychology in 2009. I quickly realized that I wanted more, so I decided to pursue my masters degree. Upon completion, I worked towards licensure for addiction counseling. While working in various treatment facilities, it was clear to me that trauma was the root cause of many of the client’s problems. That is what led me obtain a certification in trauma. In 2019, I started my own private practice. I realized that the traditional 9-5 schedule was not a good fit for me. I highly value being available for my children, so having my own practice allowed me the flexibility to be available for my children (perfect during covid-19), and also focus on teaching at the university. Recently, I earned my PhD from Liberty University with my dissertation focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and academic performance at HBCUs; another one of my passions.

My practice focuses on helping women work through trauma and the residue of toxic relationships. I shifted from counseling to coaching because I am a solution-focused practitioner. Thus, I work to help my clients achieve results much quicker than traditional therapy. I believe that being a Christian really sets me apart from others because most women of faith find it challenging to trust professionals. Because I am a believer who’s authentic and transparent about my own struggles, they find it easy to work with me.

I’m most proud of the healing I’ve been able to achieve through my faith. I am very different in that I’ve never received therapy. Not because I don’t believe in it. In fact, I believe therapy is a great resource. However, I’ve never been afraid to explore my past traumas in order to heal. I’m not perfect by any means! However, I am really good at identifying triggers and doing the work to heal, and I teach my clients how to do the same. I am very transparent about my journey, and I believe clients really appreciate that. I’m also not afraid to offer prayer in sessions, which is the cherry on top for believers!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“We don’t get paid for what we do, you just have to love what you do”.

When I first graduated with my bachelors degree I interviewed for a case management position working with clients who had disabilities. During that interview I was told that in this field, we’re not in it to make money; we’re in it because we love what we do. That stuck with me throughout my entire career. Even now, I still have to deal with the limiting belief that I shouldn’t expect to earn a decent salary because I work in the helping profession.
I’ve since learned, and I have to keep reminding myself, that I deserve to be wealthy because of the value I add to other people.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started out in private practice, I had a scarcity mindset based on what I had learned earlier on in my career. As a result, I attracted clients who didn’t value my services. They skipped sessions, showed up late, didn’t do any work outside of sessions. Once I realized that people will pay for what they value, I had to pivot. I stopped using language that attracted clients who cared more about how they looked than their mental well-being. I completely rebranded because I knew that in order to attract the people who valued wholeness, I had to show up confidently as the expert who could move them from pain and brokenness to wholeness. I had to pivot from just speaking about the pain I used to be in, to showing the transformation I had received, and ultimately they could receive too by working with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: courtneyloyd.com
• Instagram: @dr.courtneyjloyd
• Linkedin: Dr. Courtney J. Loyd, LAC

Image Credits
Meagan Stone Photography