Watch the webinar here.

This webinar discusses what it's like to live with anxiety in conjunction with lupus, such as: working through anxiety as it pertains to day to day with lupus, learning coping skills to deal with this, and learning a new normal post-pandemic.

Presenter: Dr. Joy McNeil, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, PhD, LCMHC, NCC, TFCBT 

"Mental health and wellness is one of the greatest and most challenging lifelong journeys you can embark upon; and it is one of the most enlightening treks of your dynamic life if you dare to open yourself just enough to dive deep and to share your story with others."

-Dr. Joy McNeil

Dr. McNeil, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Career and Confidence Strategist, Professional Counseling professor, writer and speaker, is committed to equipping and empowering people of all ages to live lives of wellness.  With specialties in trauma, chronic pain/illness, eating disorders, and career performance, Dr. McNeil owns and operates a private practice – The Welling Place, LLC - in Fayetteville, North Carolina, adjacent to the largest military post – Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

From small town beginnings in rural North Carolina to the bright lights, big city of Washington DC, and finally to Fayetteville, NC, Dr. McNeil has accepted career opportunities in corporate America, nonprofits, community mental health, and within the military community. A graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and Women’s Studies, as well as other distinguished universities, Dr. McNeil had had the honor to study and research extensively in public relations, psychology, health disparities, and counseling/human services. She received a Master of Arts in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. Currently living and working in Fayetteville, North Carolina for 14 years, one of the accomplishments with which Dr. McNeil is most proud was to serve 30,000 service members and civilians on Fort Bragg yearly as a Family Advocacy and Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention Trainer.

A lupus thriver who was diagnosed in 2004, Dr. Joy McNeil felt the call to continue extensive research in psychology and counseling, receiving her Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling and Human Services in 2017 from Capella University.  Her dissertation is entitled "I Noticed Something Wrong:" The Lived Experiences of Women of Color who Faced a Protracted Journey to Diagnosis with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. She encountered women countrywide willing to share their experiences on the road to being diagnosed with and living with Lupus. This research was work that has catapulted her toward working with clients who have experienced chronic health pitfalls to develop resilience and define their lives on their own terms. In addition, Dr. McNeil has organized conferences, facilitated workshops and provided seminars and educational trainings in-person and online. When not working, Dr. McNeil enjoys watching football, playing with her dog – Baddie Maggie, podcasting, and trying new restaurants.  Dr. McNeil is committed to educating, uplifting and empowering people toward their higher selves and beyond.