My Why: LaShay McKeel

LaShay is a Yoga Instructor and Social Worker, born and raised in Central Texas, now rooted in the Hill Country. She majored in Psychology with a minor in Sociology in 2007, and then earned her Masters degree in Social Work, with community and societal focuses in 2009, including research.

LaShay is passionate about “minding the gaps” in services, along with the supports for connection within and with others. She began her career in case management, working in person-centered care in programs with displaced youth to individuals experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has also worked with First Responders and helped with gathering resources for those in the community seeking assistance with recovery from substance use. Last year, she began coaching in whole-person ways, informed by somatic, trauma, and neuro-informed training and experience. This year, she began offering associate-level Clinical Mental Health therapy in her own practice, with similar focuses.

When not working, LaShay enjoys spending time outdoor adventuring with her son, along with trying to keep up with his new video games and interests, and pondering life with him. She also spends time in community advocacy and finding new ways to create community!

Working with those who have served our communities and nation is at the intersection of multiple areas of passions for me, personally and professionally. I have family members who have served in the military, and for a time, I was a military spouse for an Active Duty Service Member and Veteran. Through being a part of that community, I understand on some level how complex the experience can be, whether serving overseas or not.  This includes the changes and the stigma around mental, emotional, and physical pain.

I have had to go above and beyond to experience and learn what can help “mind the gap” in addressing complex pain and physical dysfunction in my personal life, along with a need to embark on a different journey of meaning making and creating new pathways.

Now I get to see how it helps those I work with in their journeys too, even if for a brief time. To learn there are times to push through, and there are times to pay attention and do what is needed for yourself. To understand how pain in one area can spill over into other areas. To learn we can do more than just further disengage and try to “manage”.