Heather Hayes is the founder and CEO of Heather R. Hayes & Associates, Inc. She is a Master’s level Licensed Counselor in the State of Georgia, and Board Registered Interventionist (CIP). With over 35 years of experience in treating clients with complex mental health issues and the full spectrum of addictive disorders, she has worked with clients of all ages and specializes in the treatment of trauma. As the globe’s most prominent authorities on these topics, she is widely-recognized for her trauma- informed responsive approach to intervention.
Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?
A. 2/24/82.
Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?
A. Fellowship, support, community and good Orderly Direction.
Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?
A. Disease.
Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?
A. John Mulaney.
Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?
A. Horse farm, right where I am now.
Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?
A. Remembering that no matter what, I don’t use.
Q. How do you measure success?
A. Living in integrity, service and continual seeking of wisdom. Living in a way that helps the planet and others.
Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?
A. Animal Rescue.
Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?
A. I have had many important teachers and mentors.
Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?
A. Family systemic, Existential, Ericksonian, Multimodal and trauma therapies.
Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?
A. Born in Princeton, NJ, lived in San Antonio Texas until Twelve and Atlanta her since (with a trip to graduate school in Boston for 2 years.)
Q. What is your Astrological sign?
A. Capricorn. Virgo rising and Moon in Pisces.
Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?
A. The Divine within us that comes from the Ultimate and Highest Source.
Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?
A. Relational Cultural Therapy, Uncommon Therapy, To kill A Mockingbird, Narcotic Anonymous Text and Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Too many more to list.
Q. Which film have you watched the most?
A. Pulp Fiction.
Q. What surprised you most about living sober?
A. All that my HP and life has provided me with, surrounding me with love, family, friends, beloved animals and fulfilling career.
Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?
A. Everything will OK, it’s all part of the plan. Trust in yourself and pay attention to your intuition.
Q. What is your favorite App?
A. ChatGPT.
Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?
A. Pitt, White Orchid, Severance.
Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?
A. Sister Hazel.
Q. What is your favorite city?
A. Wherever I am with my husband.
Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?
A. Equestrian Show Jumping.
Q. What is your favorite cuisine?
A. Indian.
Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
A. To be a good therapist keep learning, stay in therapy and realize you only help show a new path, everyone is responsible for their own healing.
Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?
A. Nope.
Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?
A. My husband, family and my beloved animals.
Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?
A. College graduation from Emory with Honors.
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