Dr. Shay Speaks LLC

04/17/2026

Thank you, She Soars, for this wellness opportunity during Women's History Month! I enjoyed introducing the students to mindfulness meditation and beginner mat Pilates principles.
Learn more about the organization here: https://www.gosoar.org/.

For mat Pilates info, visit: https://brand.page/matpilateswithshay. For mindfulness meditation, visit: https://insighttimer.com/shaythomas.

04/08/2026

I am honored and excited to present "Framily Matters: How girlfriends give us roots and wings" on Friday, 4/17 @ 4pm. Grab your girls and join us for this fun, enlightening virtual conversation on the power of female friendships. Visit The Women's Mental Health Conference at Yale for more info; be sure to check out all the other wonderful presenters/topics!

Register here: https://event.fourwaves.com/thewmhc2026/registration

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Although the US Surgeon General officially labeled loneliness as an epidemic in 2023, UCLA identified female friendships as keys to adaptive stress response and longevity (Taylor et al., 2000). When women gather, some say magic happens and others profess that the world heals. When friends are like family, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and we feel seen, validated, and supported. This workshop highlights how supportive female friendships, sometimes referred to as “girlfriends” and “sisterhood/sister circles”, positively impact mental health, coping, and resilience.

03/31/2026

Consulting with the media on current events is something I take great pride and responsibility in as a systemically trained mental health and wellness professional. While I considered bypassing to avoid the "smoke" of this polarizing issue (and because you never know how a story will spin), I reframed this as an opportunity to demonstrate ways to educate, empower, and express empathy. Perfection and consensus are seldom the objective or outcome. Rather, I hope this helps us wrestle with important topics from a position of curiosity, compassion, personal accountability, and collective responsibility.

Thanks to Kiana Fitzgerald and Consequence for the feature!

https://consequence.net/2026/03/kanye-west-apology-mental-health-experts/3/

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Kanye West's apology for his past behavior — attributed to bipolar disorder type 1 — has ignited debate among mental health experts.

03/11/2026

03/03/2026

Register here: https://www.drshayspeaks.org/events

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02/24/2026

Check out my new blogpost:

https://www.drshayspeaks.org/blog/after-the-flowers-fade

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I’ve been thinking a lot about the hype of commercialized holidays. Don’t get me wrong, hopeless romantic I am. However, sometimes folks just focus on the wrong stuff! Some couples spend more time and money on the wedding and reception than they do cultivating a fruitful marriage. Some families ...

02/19/2026

5hr Ethics Workshop (9am-3pm)

*Will also be offered on July 31, 2026

Description:

With the growth of mental health awareness in print, on digital platforms, and on screen, therapists are often sought out for insight and media contributions. It is incumbent upon us to prioritize integrity over mere popularity as we integrate ourselves into the world of content creators, thought leaders, expert personalities, and influencers. As we join efforts to build brands and commit to public participation, we must not sacrifice our professional values, commitment to client wellbeing, or standards of practice. This workshop will cover ethical principles for working with the media, including a) writing guidelines in both academia and popular press, b) speaking considerations for community events, and c) contributions to digital platforms and broadcast media. The presenter will share her experiences in each of these settings and review ethical principles and clinical implications. Attendees will review literature and brainstorm ways to engage in ethical practice as we consider our professional presence in the media.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1) Identify opportunities to ethically and effectively utilize skills and experience to work with the media

2) Appraise ethical decision-making factors for media-related case scenarios

3) Examine cultural nuances, self-of-the-therapist, and relational factors as we consider the ability to influence the lives of others through media involvement

Register here for March 2026: https://www.drshayspeaks.org/store/p/32726-5hr-virtual-ethics-workshop

Register here for July 2026: https://www.drshayspeaks.org/store/p/73126-5hr-ethics-workshop

For questions, email drshayspeaks@gmail.com or call 770-317-8583.

02/16/2026

Greetings!

I am excited to host my ethics workshop again next month and again in July.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

With the growth of mental health awareness in print, on digital platforms, and on screen, therapists are often sought out for insight and media contributions. It is incumbent upon us to prioritize integrity over mere popularity as we integrate ourselves into the world of content creators, thought leaders, expert personalities, and influencers. As we join efforts to build brands and commit to public participation, we must not sacrifice our professional values, commitment to client wellbeing, or standards of practice. This workshop will cover ethical principles for working with the media, including a) writing guidelines in both academia and popular press, b) speaking considerations for community events, and c) contributions to digital platforms and broadcast media. The presenter will share her experiences in each of these settings and review ethical principles and clinical implications. Attendees will review literature and brainstorm ways to engage in ethical practice as we consider our professional presence in the media.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1) Identify opportunities to ethically and effectively utilize skills and experience to work with the media

2) Appraise ethical decision-making factors for media-related case scenarios

3) Examine cultural nuances, self-of-the-therapist, and relational factors as we consider the ability to influence the lives of others through media involvement

REGISTER HERE FOR MARCH: 3/27/26 - https://www.drshayspeaks.org/store/p/32726-5hr-virtual-ethics-workshop
REGISTER HERE FOR JULY: 7/31/26 - https://www.drshayspeaks.org/store/p/73126-5hr-ethics-workshop

For questions, call 770-317-8583 or email drshayspeaks@gmail.com.

*Approved by GAMFT for 5 ethics hoours.

9am-3pm (including break and lunch) Description: With the growth of mental health awareness in print, on digital platforms, and on screen, therapists are often sought out for insight and media contributions. It is incumbent upon us to prioritize integrity over mere popularity as we integrate ou

10/11/2025

Thanks, ATL Live Show & Atlanta News First for invitation to discuss :

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/10/10/importance-taking-care-your-mental-health/

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Never Suffer in Silence

09/13/2025

Subscribe for updates! www.drshayspeaks.org

Honored to contribute to this video series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH5SpznwAbA

Kudos to MusiCares and CMA Country Music Association for shedding light on the importance of mental health and wellness for music industry professionals!

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“Cultivating a healthy mindset, managing money mindfully, and nurturing meaningful relationships are foundational to both holistic wellbeing and a sustainabl...

07/03/2025

Join us for this important conversation!

Roots, Remedies, and Resilience
Wednesday, 7/23, 6-7pm (via Zoom)

Honored to partner with Center for Black Women's Wellness, Inc!

https://www.cbww.org/event/roots-remedies-resilience-from-intergenerational-trauma-to-holistic-healing/

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06/18/2025

Wonderful event Laureus Sport for Good USA!