S02 Ep08: Genuine Connection: Exploring Authenticity Through a Personal, Professional, and Therapeutic Lens with Courtney Jones, LCSW-C
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Have you ever felt exhausted at the end of the day, because you felt like you couldn't be your most authentic self in the space you were in? Or perhaps you've left a gathering feeling bored or dissatisfied by shallow conversations and superficial interactions. If you're the person who wants to show up more authentically, or if you're the person who is craving more authenticity from others, this episode is for you!
In today's podcast, you'll get to hear social worker and entrepreneur, Courtney Jones, LCSW-C talk about the challenges of finding authentic relationships, especially in entrepreneurial spaces. You'll also get to hear about the work she does to support individuals who are wanting to show up more authentically and ways that she encourages the same in her team. As a therapist who does equine work, she also shares about the role that therapeutic work with horses can play in leading us to a more authentic and attuned place.
Follow Courtney Jones, LCSW-C
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Cxm0Ox
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3AzwjBi
Website: https://bayareacounseling.consulting -
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (00:01.481)
Welcome back to the Dreaming and Doing podcast. I am super excited about today's guest. I am here with Courtney Jones, who is a licensed clinical social worker and entrepreneur who works with people who have, well, one, she has a ton of specialized experience and training. I'm not even gonna read all of that for you, but to kind of sum it all up, she does a lot of work with individuals who are dealing with trauma, substance use, and one of the things that I find super interesting about
Courtney's work is that she does equine therapy. So today Courtney is gonna be here with me talking about authenticity. Welcome Courtney, I'm so glad you're here.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (00:43.49)
Thanks for having me.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (00:45.341)
Yes, so Courtney, there are two reasons why I wanted to talk with you today about this topic of authenticity. One, just to give everybody some background information, you and I met at a networking event that we were both going to and I was talking about the retreat that I was hosting in Costa Rica and you were like, wait, hold on, I saw that advertised somewhere.
And so we met and you were like, I think this must be a sign. And sure enough, you signed up shortly after. That's how we met. But when we were in Costa Rica and we were kind of getting to know everybody, one of the things that you said that really stuck with me at the very beginning was that one of the things that you were really wanting from the experience was authentic relationships. And that stood out to me because it's something that's really important to me too. So talk with me about
What makes authenticity and having authentic relationships so important to you?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (01:45.486)
That's a good question. So to also share about the first time we met, I actually had the retreat in the basket. I just hadn't bought it yet. And I'm like, I go? Do I not go? And then when I saw you and we met, I was like, all right, I'm going. We're going to go. It was great.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (01:54.379)
That's so funny!
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (02:02.717)
Yes.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (02:04.694)
Really honestly, sometimes those marketing events, they're awesome, but they're really not authentic. And it's exhausting when you get into spaces with other clinicians and you feel like you're just kind of hitting all the points. You know what I mean? Of who you are and what you do, but there's not a lot of connection and then it's next onto the next one. So sharing that intimate space with everyone, I really wanted to make sure that we can maybe get a little bit deeper than some of the surface stuff.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (02:12.031)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (02:31.201)
Yes, and that's actually one of the things that I wrote down here on my paper to ask you about today. You didn't even know that. But that was one of the things that I wrote down is that sometimes, you know, when we're in these professional arenas, including networking events, the conversation is very superficial. This is who I am. This is what I do, blah, blah, blah. And we never connect again.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (02:51.619)
Yeah.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (02:53.287)
Yes, absolutely. So, and also in that equine work, I'm gonna ask you about this later on, but one of the conversations that we did have that you had mentioned while we were in Costa Rica was that horses are actually really good at gauging someone's sense of authenticity. So for all of those reasons, I wanted to have you here and talk about this particular topic.
So I think there's a lot of challenges, at least that I see around authenticity. You mentioned one of them, like going to professional networking events, and it's maybe not very authentic. Sometimes when people are moving into new professional roles or you're in a bigger room than one that you were in previously, sometimes people feel like they can't be their professional selves because maybe there's an underlying belief that who I am and what I bring to the table is not really good and won't be accepted.
And also, you know, on the other extreme end of the spectrum, I also see people at least in professional services or the built, like the business world who really talk up their services, how amazing they are, and then they don't deliver under deliver, which is also maybe not being so authentic. So, you know, you're an entrepreneur, you're a therapist, I'm wondering what has allowed you
or what has helped you to show up as your authentic self.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (04:24.536)
That's a good question too. think first of all, shout out to my own therapy. Yes, honestly. But I think being in this role has really allowed for me to feel like my authentic self. And then the trust that my colleagues and the providers here have in me for their employment makes me feel like I can't give anything less than that.
Also to be an apparent, like my kids, really helped me be my most authentic and best self. Yeah, and they'll show me two areas that I need to make improvements on. Yeah, but.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (04:55.761)
Yes, that's so funny. I wasn't thinking about that, but you're right. If a child thinks that someone is not being authentic, they will let you know. Absolutely. And also as someone who manages an office, I think sometimes the challenge is also encouraging people, our therapists to be their authentic selves.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (05:05.741)
Yeah.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (05:22.51)
What are some of the things that you do to encourage the people on your team to show up as their truest selves?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (05:28.838)
I think when we think about the art of therapy, it's really like what drives the work. Why did you get into it? And how can you lead with that in a really professional but authentic way? Because we as therapists like that, we are the tool when we come into that space, who we are and the relationship that we can build with patients really is the only way that interventions can be fruitful. And then I'm learning because my practice was built from
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (05:45.077)
Mm-hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (05:59.032)
trauma, like I went through a workplace trauma, was going through a divorce and so all those things helped me step out onto my own and so I'm helping all of the practitioners here unlearn what they learn in other settings. So sometimes it really is about like, tell me how you're really feeling about the situation or about this patient, you know, and then a lot of times, even when folks are late with their notes, it's like, I think you're avoiding telling me that we're past this deadline, but let's communicate, I'm here to support you and just coming into that space in a different way.
really helps the provider show up as their authentic selves too. So I think that that's really powerful. And then we take that into our session, it's like a ripple effect.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (06:37.386)
Yeah, and you bring up a good point because I think that there are times where people are invited to be their authentic selves. And I think sometimes there's maybe some like skepticism around that or like, do they really mean that? I don't believe them because of past experiences.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (06:59.232)
Yeah, it's like being your authentic self, but with professional parameters. So I think that that's a caveat because I can't, like I got dressed up for this, you know what mean? But my authentic self really would have probably had my hair up and a mess and no makeup on. So I do think that there's components of it and nuances, but at the same time, we have to also have professional boundaries, which is it's like
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (07:05.685)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (07:17.95)
Yes.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (07:29.166)
art form is like a balance.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (07:30.717)
Yes, I love that. I'm over here smiling because our clinical supervisor regularly says that when we were having this conversation or talking about like, want your feedback. She's always like, you know, with parameters, with professionalism, we want your input. That doesn't mean you have to be like super opinionated, you know, about things that, you know, just to have an opinion. So yes, being your authentic self while wearing your professional.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (07:55.914)
Exactly.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (07:57.525)
Yes, so I love that. Now Courtney, you still do therapy work, right? And I know that I find a lot of our clients that we work with struggle to allow themselves to be their authentic self. I'm wondering how you see that topic show up with your clients at your practice or clients that you've worked with over the years. How do you see that theme showing up?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (08:23.296)
I, it's a defense mechanism, you know, and so learning of a patient and learning about their life and interacting with them and then also taking the time to get to know them helps, you know, be able to kind of acknowledge if you are or not showing up as your authentic self and how can I help you get there? But it's about the trust. It's about the rapport. If you don't have that, if I'm not coming into this space, giving that, can't ask for a patient, you know, to give it.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (08:51.979)
So really modeling that. Yeah. Yeah. Which is, go ahead.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (08:54.434)
Yeah, for sure. And no, it can be something just as simple as like right now I'm sitting with my legs crossed. That's what's most comfortable for me. It's not this huge glaring unprofessional stance. It's not what I learned in social work school, but I'm my comfortable, most authentic self right now sitting in this space. So get comfortable. And modeling that can be really helpful.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (09:15.079)
Mm hmm. Yeah, this conversation is making me think about, well, one, going to school, right? I think, historically speaking, when you go to school to be a social worker or counselor, you receive messages, you know, about how counseling or therapy used to be done, like you are the blank slate. Right? So
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (09:35.02)
Right.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (09:36.841)
Simultaneously, we talk about like having this relationship and that being the most important aspect. But many of us have also been taught to be this blank slate, which is kind of reserving yourself and not presenting your most authentic self in the room. I think the field is changing, but I do still think that that can be a struggle for people as they're maybe entering into the field to say, how do I do that? I was kind of taught not to.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (10:06.666)
Exactly. Like I was taught to sit straight up with my hands flat on my legs and my feet on the floor. That is so stuffy. I'm feeling stuffy. And then I know I utilize a lot of polyvagal that that neuroception translates, you know, to my patients. So they're feeling the stuffiness. How can they let their guard down if I'm showing up in that space? And for me too, and it's a craft, it's an art form. So over the years kind of learning, you know, some patients are really, the feedback is great when you can be like that fucking sucked and you
use authentic language in the space or we are trained to not be you know expressive but sometimes things warrant an expressive look because some things are really hard and heavy and then it also can model empathy because you can have another you know expressive way where it's like it must have been really hard you know and then that makes people feel so validated and seen which then they can be their authentic self in the space.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (10:50.272)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (11:05.663)
Yes. And so I'm hearing like there are multiple layers here, right? Like one for your team, you have to model authenticity for your team. You then hope that your therapist will show up authentically with their clients so that the clients can also, you know, kind of lean into allowing themselves to be their most authentic selves.
And I'm wondering how do you navigate that also as a business owner, right? That aspect that you mentioned earlier, where it's like on one hand, I need to be my most authentic self to model that behavior. So they too can be their most authentic selves. But with those caveats, how do you also navigate that, right? Like the role of an entrepreneur, especially one, if you're managing a team can be super challenging and complicated.
super stressful some days. How do you manage one showing up authentically while also having that knowing that like maybe the way that I'm really feeling today, I have to manage that or how do you navigate that for yourself?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (12:17.582)
Well, it's still a learning process for sure. But being as though we're a trauma informed practice and it's at the core of who we are, know that transparency is trauma informed. And so sometimes I just leave with transparency and that's how I'll open it up. You know, like if we need to have a hard conversation, I'm not going to come into the space in a shame based fashion and impugnitive way. I know that there's so much workplace trauma and that's how it is, but we still need to have a serious conversation so we can open it up. You how's your week? How are you? It's good to see
We talked about this last time. How's your dog or whatever it is? And then it's like, hey, I have to transition. You know, I have to transition into something less than favorable. Are you ready for it? You know, and then we'll come into that space and have the conversation and then kind of bookend it with what did you hear? You know, what are we on? Are we on the same page with this? You know, and then sending them out. So I think that it's just a balance of both.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (12:57.099)
Mm-hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (13:12.876)
Yeah, but I think that when you are your authentic self and boundaries are healthy and important and you kind of acknowledge that from the beginning. Like, yes, there's a lot of creative freedom in the work.
It's an art form. Learn your craft. Specialize. But you still gotta see a patient for 53 minutes. And that note is still due. And you we still have to show up on time. I think our boards and COMAR and all these regulations help me help maintain those professional boundaries. Because it's not just my way. It's, I mean, it's the board of social work. COMAR, yeah.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (13:31.061)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (13:45.247)
Yeah, and so many other places that govern how we practice. Yes, if people only knew Courtney. Yes, so speaking of specialized practice, right? You do equine therapy, which I think is super duper cool, right? I think it's so unique.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (13:49.656)
So many.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (13:54.795)
That's a lot.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (14:10.401)
I told you on multiple occasions that I had two different opportunities to have equine experiences when traveling and going to like a particular resort that offers these experiences. And I would not have known, I am not an animal person. So just want to put it out there. Like a lot of people on my team, and I know a lot of people in the world like love their cat, love their dog. I am not an animal person. I have no pets. These equine activities, the first one that I went to was
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (14:35.118)
you
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (14:38.791)
not one that I signed up as like my first pick. It was my second one. I just didn't have some of the information that was needed for this other event. So I ended up in the equine event. wasn't like my first pick, but I ended up there and it was such an interesting and eye opening experience. Like one, I was so amazed one by the skill level of the people who were facilitating this activity, number one.
each person in this first event had like 15 minutes of the activity that we were doing. And in 15 minutes, like there were tears, we're getting to like deep family of origin stuff. I mean, and on both of those occasions, it was like these people were telling you about yourself real fast and they don't know you at all. But they were seeing some things that were relevant and very true in just a few minutes. So I really have a lot of respect.
for that work now as result.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (15:40.738)
Yeah, it's cool. I'm glad you had such a profound experience because sometimes it's really hard to get the buy-in from folks because exactly what you're saying, like, do we do? just, you just have a session with a horse. So I'm like, there's a lot that goes into it. Yes. They're going to see your soul. They're going to tell us about you and then we're going to re-gird it. And it's hard to really understand it unless you experience it.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (15:47.988)
Yeah.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (15:56.73)
Yes!
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (16:06.299)
Yeah. So tell me, Courtney, like, again, this isn't a work that a lot of people are doing, which is why I think it makes it so unique that you're doing it. How in the world did you end up doing equine work?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (16:17.196)
Well, Equine was part of a healing process for me and I found it to be so profound just being in the space with horses and what I got out of it was exactly your experience too. I was in a space and I was very seen and validated by this horse and it was life changing. And I was like, why, what is it about this that is so profound? And so I started studying animal assisted therapy. My dog Leona and I do
therapy together and animals are so healing. really just help break barriers, unconditional love, you know, they really bring so much to the space and as a trauma specialist, the majority of trauma is human on human. So then I have another human come into my space as a human and I'm expecting them to automatically open up and let their guard down. But sometimes with an animal colleague in the room, right, if they see that the animal trusts me, then there's some buy-in. If they get that biofeed,
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (17:00.757)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (17:15.784)
Hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (17:16.948)
back from the animal, then they can soften, then we can share that space. And now we all have a collective secure attachment. Yes, but horses are very special as to why they work so well in this space.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (17:30.291)
Wow, that is so interesting. And I'm surprised Courtney to hear that sometimes people are a little hesitant, like, you know, that they don't automatically buy into this modality. I'm thinking about so many people that we work with, whether it's therapists on my team, clients we work with, and just people in the world who are like, really like, they're like, I'm a dog person, I'm a cat person. So I'm just so surprised to hear that. That maybe there's not that immediate buy-in from people. Any thoughts on that?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (18:00.094)
I think it's just unique when you're thinking about, what do we do with the horse? And then you try to explain the magic that happens. And so I utilize a lot of the science behind it, the prey, the predator, horses are prey, we're predators. And when we come into their space, the only way that they're gonna allow for us to be with them is if they trust our energy, because you're a predator and they're a prey animal. So I utilize some of that. And then also sharing with them too, like they're so sensitive to our energy, right?
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (18:04.137)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (18:11.263)
Mm-hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (18:30.47)
I, you know.
They can feel a fly land on them. And that would be the equivalent to us feeling a dandelion seed land on our skin. Uber sensitive. But most importantly, because they have the largest cluster of mirror neurons outside of any mammal than we do, they can really mirror back our emotions. They look at our facial expressions. They read the room. They're hyper vigilant. So anyway, I try to explain all of that. But sometimes there really isn't that buy in. There's still a stigma, you know, associated with it.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (18:59.521)
Wow.
So talk with me about kind of how this shows up. Like let's say someone shows up to do equine work. What is it that is happening? Like I'm hearing about the energy that the horses are picking up the mirror neurons. How do you use that? Like whatever the horse is picking up on, you know, as it relates to this topic of trust, authenticity, relationships.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (19:28.332)
Yeah, so.
One of the things that I found to be really helpful is when patients are interested in it, I actually, instead of scheduling a consultation over the phone, I asked them if they'd be open to doing their first session at the farm so that they can really experience the magic, meet the horses, know, see the land, you know, get just get all of that good stuff that happens to our brains and our bodies when we're in nature. But then when we walk around and we meet each of the horses, you can really see folks align with
which equine partner they're supposed to be working with. But in the session, the horses alert us to any changes, which helps us see maybe something's coming up for that person. And it leads our work and discussion with the patient.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (20:15.743)
Yeah, I love the idea of having people come out right away, right? Like we're both trained in brain spotting. And even with brain spotting, sometimes people are like, well, what is that? And they want all the details. Like if you have really sciencey people or like logical people, like I need to know all the details before I say yes to doing this thing. But even with brain spotting, I can tell you about it. But really it's one of those things that you have to experience it. And then when you experience it, you're like, I understand the words that were coming out of your mouth.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (20:23.662)
Exactly.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (20:45.727)
like it all makes sense.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (20:47.554)
That's exactly right. Cause you and I both know that when you bring the wand out, there is definitely some initial skepticism. But once you hit that spot and you have that release of whatever's in there, you're sold. Yeah. And it's the same thing working with the horses too. People love animals. They'll want to come out, but they don't know how therapeutically it can benefit them until you experience it. And it's such relational work. like I said, horses are prey animals. They don't have to let you in their space.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (20:52.966)
Yeah!
Yes.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (21:03.143)
Yes.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (21:18.143)
Yeah.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (21:19.169)
It's a gift that they're like, I trust you enough to allow for you to come over here and I want to nuzzle you and I want to help you and I see you. And when patients get that, it's a different kind of validation. It's a different kind of acceptance and trust.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (21:28.605)
Yeah.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (21:37.535)
Yeah, and so I'm wondering about two things. Like I'm wondering, one, what are some of the challenges you see show up in people maybe letting down their defenses in order to be fully present, relaxed, authentic, and how do the experience with the horses help facilitate letting that down?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (22:01.528)
So, you know...
We're complex. You know, our brains are so different. You know, we're so complex. We categorize, you know, things and we have judgments and with horses, it's not really like that. They can't, they can't lie. It's very, a really honest and truthful experience. So they're showing up as their authentic self. And we see that a lot. Like if they're not feeling good, they're going to let you know, like I'm not working today. We respect that and honor that showing that to a patient, you know, can help them advocate for themselves. But that's really what it is. Like if a patient's guarded, our horse is also going to be,
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (22:18.955)
Hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (22:35.184)
moving around, swishing their tail, looking the other way, you know, and then that can lead us to some kind of questioning like, what's up? We can kind of see that you're guarded, but our horse is also kind of feeling, you know, a little out, you know.
out in two, what can we do here, you know, to maybe make some movement? Do you guys want to go for a walk together? You want to lead a little bit? Let's get some movement in and sometimes just that little bit around the ring can really help people open up. Sometimes just knowing that we're in this space of partnership with the horses is another buy-in for the patient. You know, we had a patient yesterday and there were some challenges that they were experiencing, you know, in the session, but when we just asked them if they would just like to spend time with Lily.
and brush her and groom her, you know, that helped them down regulate because now you're in this space of biofeedback, which is something that's really beautiful that occurs with animal and human connection.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (23:33.023)
Yes. Now, how do you see people take that experience, right? Of, you know, relating to, let's say like the horse relating, kind of letting those defenses down, being their true selves. How do you see people translate that experience into life outside?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (23:53.134)
Well, one of the most profound experiences is that they felt it. We don't always get that in this space human to human. So when you really sincerely have this experiential experience, now that's a new neuro pathway. Like let's build on that. Yeah, and so we can always draw from that, which is such a gift. Because sometimes we know it takes so long to build the relationship.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (23:57.204)
Hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (24:00.821)
Yeah.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (24:10.859)
Mm-hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (24:18.866)
with a patient for them to get to that space where they really can just let it let it go.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (24:25.343)
Yeah. And so I guess as a whole, if we're thinking about people who might be struggling to show up as their authentic selves, whether it's in a professional arena, personal arena, what advice might you have for someone who's struggling with that?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (24:43.98)
That's a good question. I don't know. I'd have to think more about that. How would I encourage someone to be their authentic self? I think modeling is the biggest one. You how am I showing up as my most authentic self? And if we're in the animal assisted space, I think just sharing that like horses aren't really going to interact with you unless you can really.
you know, like partner up with them and be present, you know, and be your authentic self. Yeah, I'd have to think more about that, Melissa. That's a that's a good question.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (25:21.193)
Yeah, and I'm wondering Courtney, has there been a time that you can think about where, like being true to yourself really influenced your journey as a professional or entrepreneur?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (25:35.566)
yeah, actually starting this practice was the greatest gift that I gave to myself. Like I shared with you, I was in a workplace that was less than favorable. I was going through a divorce and, I, it was like, what, what do you, there's so much change that's happening. And I had
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (25:40.276)
Hmm.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (25:58.316)
my last $500 that I was saving for quarterly taxes and I sunk it into an LLC. And that was the journey of how I started where I'm at. You know, what a gift of trust in myself and in this process.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (26:14.441)
Yeah, absolutely. And that also has me thinking about times where authenticity comes into the things that we pursue in life, right? Our dreams, goals, aspirations. Do I pursue the things that are truly important to me? Or am I pursuing the things that other people said I should want? Whether it's maybe status or I don't know, something like that. Or maybe even pressure to have a family, I don't know. Can you think about...
I don't know, occasions that you've seen where there are challenges to pursue the things that you most truly want for your life just due to pressure.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (26:55.016)
I think when I think about.
I guess for me, when you ask that question, I think about marginalized communities and marginalized folks. And for me being a woman in business, I feel like sometimes I have to maybe throw more smiley faces in emails and act a little bit more, you know, where authentically I'd like to just kind of cut to the chase. I think we've even talked about this in Costa Rica, but that comes with, you know, a lot of pressure societally to kind
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (27:03.777)
Hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (27:20.542)
Yeah.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (27:29.2)
conform to a way and then I come up against you know am I being authentic here or am I just kind of playing into the patriarchy and these larger systems so I don't know if that answered your question or not
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (27:37.909)
Mm-hmm.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (27:43.307)
Yeah, absolutely. Yes. Well, Courtney, I am so glad that you came on today. I think you are so super cool. I'm glad we're in touch. And again, this is what I love about, you know, things like retreats and stuff, right? Like being able to stay in touch with people, to be able to collaborate with people. I'm gonna get to go to the farm soon and see you in action. We're gonna do an equine workshop, which I'm super excited about. I can't wait to see you.
doing the things that I've been hearing you talk about, think it's going to be amazing. For anyone who is listening and they're like, that is so cool. How do I find out about that? How can they learn more about you and the work that you're doing?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (28:26.902)
Yeah, we have a website, Bay Area Council and Consultation. You can find me on the website. We have a Facebook. We have a LinkedIn. Reach out. Let's connect. Yeah, let's schedule something.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (28:39.105)
Absolutely and Courtney, what is a big dream that you have? You've already accomplished so much, what is a big dream that you have now that's on your radar?
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (28:49.938)
I feel like I get to live my passion every day and my life's purpose being a clinician. So I'm excited to just continue to grow on this on this path for sure. Yes, and probably more traveling. Next retreat.
Melissa Wesner, (she/her) LCPC (29:04.601)
Yes, love that. Yes. Awesome, Courtney. Thank you so much for sharing with us today. All right, we look forward to talking to you again soon on the next episode.
Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP (29:13.272)
Thank you.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
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