Presented by Afiya Hooker & Jo Anna Johnson / Ying Yang Wellness Center
Focus Women’s Conference, Session One, 8:50AM – 9:50AM, Mar 28, 2022
Parenting children while rewarding can be an anxiety provoking role. This already difficult undertaking has become for many an even greater challenge due to global and national issues many Americans’ face today (i.e., COVID19, student loan debt, unemployment, racism/discrimination, etc.). According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, one in eight children has a diagnosable anxiety disorder. This workshop will teach you how to identify the different types of anxiety, ways to properly manage that anxiety; while also learning tips and strategies to help your child reduce stress, regulate their emotions, and cope appropriately.
Jo Anna Johnson Bio
Jo Anna Johnson is the owner and founder of Practical Choices and Healthy Change Therapy, LLC and co-owner/co-founder of Yin Yang Wellness Center. She is also a licensed psychotherapist and private practice business consultant. She has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa as well as her Master of Science degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Capella University in 2015. Mrs. Johnson has over 10 years of experience in the mental health field; 5 of which has been dedicated to private practice within the Mobile, AL area. Mrs. Johnson has been an active member of the Alabama Counseling Association as well as the American Counseling Association. She also holds additional certifications as a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and EMDR specialist (i.e., powerful and cutting-edge treatment that enables people to heal from the emotional distress of painful life experiences and trauma). She has been featured in Business Talk Radio, Blavity’s Afrotech Magazine, and NSpireU’s Magazine. In 2019, Mrs. Johnson was a speaker at the Alabama Counseling Association 53rd Annual Conference as well as the 9th Annual National Peer Program Conference hosted by the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation. Mrs. Johnson most recent accomplishments includes being recognized as a Top 100 Healthcare Leaders at the IFAH 2021 Global Healthcare Conference and opening the first BIPOC mental health wellness center in Mobile, Alabama in 2021 along with her business partner, Afiya Hooker.
Afiya Hooker Bio
Afiya K. Hooker is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Mental Health Educator, Professional Speaker and Business Consultant. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Spring Hill College and her Master of Science degree from a CACREP accredited program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Alabama ( #4420), Afiya has over 14 years of experience in the mental health field and over 7 years of experience as a therapist. She also employs a staff who assist in creating positive change within our community through care management related work, psychoeducation, therapeutic mentoring and therapy.
Afiya K. Hooker was selected to receive the prestigious honor of 40 Under 40 in Mobile Bay’s 2022 Class. She also received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Health & Human Service Award in January of 2022 from People United to Advance the Dream, Inc. Afiya has been featured on Blavity’s Afrotech, The Shade Room, VoyageATL, Black with No Chaser, Mobile Bay’s Magazine, ShoutOut Atlanta and various other news outlets and publications.
As the owner of The Sunshine’s Haven Counseling Center and co-owner of Yin Yang Wellness Center (the first Black Woman owned mental health wellness center in Mobile, AL), she empowers the community by providing therapy to adolescents, adults, couples, and groups; mentoring teenagers and young adults; and providing consulting services to other therapists, professionals and business owners. Afiya K. states that her passion includes working with all people to ensure that they receive holistic care in every aspect of their lives, as well as developing and implementing goals to be the best individuals they can be. “I love what I do and I look forward to waking up every morning to make a difference in someone’s life.”