Welcome to another episode of the Finding New Waters Podcast! In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Matt O'Connor, the founder and owner of Abaya Wellness in Durham, North Carolina. Matt shares his insights on mindfulness, recovery, and the importance of individualized therapy practices.
**About Our Guest:**
Matt O'Connor is the Owner and Director of Clinical Services at Abaya Wellness. As a psychotherapist, he specializes in helping individuals who are interested in learning and growing in self-awareness and confidence. Matt works well with people exploring patterns of substance use, intimate relationships, performance anxieties, lack of confidence/satisfaction, and major life transitions.
Trained as a Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapist, Matt believes in the inherent wisdom and compassion within each person. With a decade of experience, his therapeutic style is patient, humorous, honest, and kind. He has extensive training in various modalities, including ACT, DBT, CBT, MI, Mindfulness-Based approaches, Family Systems, and EMDR. Matt is dedicated to serving as a guide on the path of wellness, welcoming all aspects of his clients' experiences.
**Chapters:**
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
01:00 - Meet Matt O'Connor
02:00 - Matt's Mindfulness Practice
04:00 - What is Abaya Wellness?
07:00 - The Impact of Mindfulness on Recovery
10:00 - Working with Adults in Therapy
12:00 - Matt's Journey and Background
16:00 - Growing Up in Buffalo, NY
19:00 - College and Early Career
23:00 - Moving to New York City
26:00 - Beginning the Recovery Journey
28:00 - Naropa University Experience
32:00 - Insights on Therapy and Meditation
36:00 - Practical Applications of Mindfulness
40:00 - Reflections on Personal Growth
45:00 - Conclusion and Contact Information
**Links:**
- Matt O'Connor: [https://www.abayawellness.com](https://www.abayawellness.com)
- New Waters Recovery: [https://www.newwatersrecovery.com](https://www.newwatersrecovery.com)
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