January 22, 2019
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH: Joanna Barrett, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Yoga for Emotional Wellness
What is your name and occupation?
Joanna Barrett, Clinical Mental Health Counselor/Psychotherapist, Yoga for Emotional Wellness, Instructor
What is your instagram handle?
@JoJo4164
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
I was born and raised in Princeton, NJ and moved to Miami for college. Afterwards, I had a brief stint back in NJ, working as an Event Planner, before taking a job in Massachusetts as a meeting planner with Harvard University.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
My journey to my career began after struggling for many years with depression, chronic fatigue, migraines, insomnia, and extreme stress. After my first career as an Event Planner, I decided to pursue my master's degree in my first passion: psychology. I graduated from Lesley University (while still working at Harvard University) and became a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Also during graduate school, I completed yoga teacher training at South Boston Yoga. Moved deeply by the psychological effects of yoga, I decided to pursue a career in Yoga for Emotional Wellness and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My experience in holistic wellness and mind-body modalities for healing has led me towards guiding individuals (mostly women) to reach their full potential for optimal well-being.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
From a yoga student and teacher: ``Joanna brings integrity, empathy and warmth to each class she leads. She is a teacher who lives her yoga, moving through life with kindness, connection, and awareness, and generously sharing those seeds of wholeness and joy with her students.`` From a yoga student: ``Joanna is just an amazing yoga teacher. I am not sure I have the word to describe the serenity and peace she creates for her classes. As soon as class begins you feel loved and supported. I leave Joanna's classes feeling full of love and peace.``
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My best advice typically comes from my amazing mother (who has shared these with me): ``This too shall pass``. ``Do one thing every day that scares you,`` quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. ``Go confidently in the direction of your dreams,`` quote by Henry David Thoreau. ``Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive,`` quote by Howard Thurman.
What is your favorite book?
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
My secret weapon is that I am surrounded by an incredibly magnificent support network; they encourage me, inspire me, and guide me. I wouldn't be who I am today without them (and I wouldn't have known about BBW!).
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Your life will be amazing one day so keep going because it will get better-- trust me! You'll create a life beyond your magnificent dreams.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I didn't feel passionate about life until I was in my mid-20s when I pursued a career in psychology and yoga. I know what it's like to feel nothing about life and move through it. I am able to sit with clients in their despair and pain, because I've been there and overcame it.
No Comments