Meet Hasan and Naaila Clay | Mental Health Counselor and Relationship Renovators

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hasan and Naaila Clay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hasan and Naaila, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Being transparent and authentic has worked wonders for us. While we haven’t experienced every moment, family event or tragedy our clients and couples have, we’ve had our own hurts and healing in life. We’re human and have days in which we struggle to take our own advice. Being true to who we are as human beings, and not pretending we have great clinical recommendations and life-changing strategies because we’ve figured it all out is a lie! We pray and take deep breaths too. There are no miracle workers in this work, but miraculous things happen! It’s important for couples and folks to know we have bad days and human quirks too! As parents, our teens had smelly rooms and didn’t always comply. My husband didn’t like to go to the doctor and used to hide snacks in the closet. As a wife, it will irk me for everyone else to walk by the dust bunnies in the corner as if they don’t see’em! As husband and wife, we work together and get on each other’s nerves. There is no difference between us except we’re willing to put in the work to be present for this marriage and family even when it feels frustrating just as much as we do when it feels good. Therein lies the key difference between a lit and loving relationship versus a dead one.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We’re so excited about our recent book, SELECTION PERFECTION: A ROCK SOLID PREMARITAL GUIDE FOR YOU, which is available on Amazon. A book is grounds for excitement, but it’s the story behind the book for us. This book was compiled using the premarital curriculum, designed by us, and has been used by engaged couples worldwide. After 8 years and serving hundreds of couples, for those who completed the course and followed our recommendations, only one divorce has resulted. That’s a 99.5% rate of blocking divorce! Our heads and hearts got weary from all of the challenges couples had. There had to be a better way. Parents were coming up short due to family dysfunction. Cultural norms and faith-based customs had our engaged couples entangled! Our course meets the needs of folks looking for love with the best of intentions. No one should have to click and submit from a cookie-cutter template to learn weaknesses and strengths as a couple. You deserve better! Our book guides you directly to your personal blocks to attract Bae to you. The unborn book was given conceived 5 years ago, but given life in 2021. It was put on pause because Hasan went totally blind and lost his income at Morehouse School of Medicine. Money was needed right away. Thus, learning self-publishing, buying ISBN’s and book marketing was NOT a priority. After years of developing stability and Hasan learning how to live without sight in this sighted world, we earned funds to hire a book coach. ISBN’s were purchased. A childhood friend whose a marketing expert shared undercover secrets and gave valuable insight. With all of the old obstacles gone, the last two chapters were completed, and we went for it! A key thing we learned is God’s timeline is not like anyone else’s. It was never good timing for Hasan to lose his eyesight. Our family has been devastated by this, but no one has suffered as much as he. Yet, we endured and didn’t rush the rehabilitation and recovery process for him or our family. We felt certain the book would be a great resource for the masses, but we couldn’t devote the time until now. Due to the pandemic, we have family members with more time to assist with the marketing and shipping process. Who knew the consequences of a pandemic would give family more time to help? God is surely the master planner.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever we travel, we like to do what the locals do. In the metro-Atlanta area, we want you to see the Jamaiican restaurant, Carribean Chicken and Fish. It is a hole in the wall you can smell 2 miles before you arrive. You betta get there before 7 pm because the good food will be gone. You can also take a peek at the pics of all the celebrities who’ve been there. Naaila walks the Atlanta Eastside Trail several times weekly. She’d love to take you to see Atlanta from the lovely beltline view, while getting exercise and witnessing the eclectic culture of people, art and food you can encounter along the way. You’ll find the coolest spots to take pics by local graffiti artists. Don’t feel like walking? No worries. Get a cup of coffee from Starbucks and enjoy the sunset outside on a bench next to the trail or at Ponce City Market. Little Five Points is a must-see spot. Let’s go get fried chicken from Hattie B’s. Let’s walk over to Sevananda Natural Foods for some blue potato chips and freshly-ground all natural peanut butter. Then, we can cross the street to look at all of the wild things in Rag-O-Rama. Surely, you’ll find a remarkable souvenir here! Food is always a good way to close the evening. Cameli’s Pizza has big slices. Grab 2! Our car already has a parking pass for Stone Mountain Park so let’s hop in. We don’t climb the mountain anymore, but you can. We’ll meet you at the bottom in 2 hours! We prefer to walk the many trails, wave at the deer all over the park, and bask in the serenity of Grist Mill. The park has many quiet corners many aren’t familiar with. Other local favorites for us are Desta Ethiopian Kitchen, Farm Burger, and Wat’s Crackin’! We’re foodies!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our teens, and specific family members, stood by, in awe, and watched us continue to put in the tedious, not-always-fun-work and stay up at night. While we went through broke periods, which felt never-ending at times, they were patient with us. There were months where all we had coming in was $1100 and the rent was $1000. This was a new lifestyle for our children. Previously, their world had everything they needed and some comforts. Suddenly, getting what we needed was hard. This wasn’t because neither of us weren’t willing to do outside work. We did! We would and people wouldn’t pay us or it would take months to get paid. Some months, the external contracts came in regularly, but would end after about 9-12 months. Finally, it paid off, but we don’t take their perseverance lightly.

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