Meet Laray Dyer | Faith-Based Mental Health Coach for Moms

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laray Dyer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laray, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Growing up in the church, I remember singing hymns like “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” by Jennie Wilson. It starts with the lyric, “Time is filled with swift transition.” I did not know what that meant at the time, but there was something to swaying beside my grandma, among a cloud of witnesses who joined us in song, which brought about a sense of conviction and knowing that I would later understand. The single most crucial decision I made that contributes to my success is holding on to God.

Maintaining my relationship with God has not been without error—in fact, God kept me even when I did not want God to keep me—but I always come out on the winning side. For example, for over two decades, I suffered with depression and anxiety. Some days, I was so low that I did not want to live, but God preserved me. Now, major depressive and anxiety disorders are a thing of the past. Despite the vicissitudes of life, God is constant, the Source of my success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Diagnosed in March 2019, I suffered a severe case of Postpartum Depression (PPD) that called for two stints of Intensive Outpatient Therapy. In fact, my therapist said, “I met Laray in April 2019. She was by far one of the MOST depressed clients I have ever seen in my career.” In response to this crisis, I wrote and published a book for the 44% of African American mothers that silently endure PPD in the US; but that just was not enough.

In 2021, I founded Abundant Grace Coaching Community, a Kingdom Business. As a Faith-Based Mental Health Coach for Moms, I help secretly frustrated and discouraged moms rediscover, prioritize, and accomplish their dreams and aspirations beyond motherhood. From complimentary support groups to small group coaching, I employ faith- and evidence-based strategy to guide moms along the path of spiritual health, mental health, and personal development.

What sets me apart from others is that I am both credentialed and uniquely experienced. I hold a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University and a Master of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University. I also hold a Project Management Professional certification with the Project Management Institute and a Health Coach Certification with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. My education and training at the intersection of faith, health, and management, coupled with my intimate experience with PPD, uniquely position me to meet moms at the point of need. I am so excited about the transformation that will take place in moms across the country through my offerings.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband, Dave, is my best friend, and we love exploring the city on date night. More recently, we discovered two spots that allow us to eat, drink, and be merry without our littles. Krog Street Market, located in a 1920’s warehouse in Inman Park, is a hidden treasure offering local restaurants and retailers. I especially love Fred’s Meat & Bread and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, followed by a casual stroll on the Beltline Eastside Trail. We also really enjoy Ponce City Market—formerly a Sears store and warehouse distribution center—found in the Old Forth Ward. It not only offers a plethora of restaurants and retailers but also a rooftop amusement park. When Dave and I went, we ate at 9 Mile Station on the roof—the food and the view was remarkable. There is so much more we have yet to explore at Ponce City Market; this winter the park will offer ice skating. It will be nice to make a family day out of it. I am sure Melody and Malakai will love it too.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to Chanel E. Martin, ordained prophet, award-winning technology founder, accountability coach, founder of Beyond The Book Media (BTBM), and co-visionary of Kingdom Business Network—the largest Christian Entrepreneur Club on the Clubhouse App, reaching over 70,000+ members worldwide! I met Chanel in August 2019 through a BTBM Virtual Writing Party. She helped me write through some of my most vulnerable moments, being transparent about the physical demands, and complex emotions and behaviors, which come along with motherhood; in 21 days, I authored, When the Bough Breaks: Unearthing the Roots of Postpartum Depression.

Beyond that, Chanel has been an inspiration and support in helping me grow my brand. Most notably, she has coached me through launching my business, Abundant Grace Coaching Community. To Chanel, my mentor, coach, and friend, thank you; I am so grateful for our connection. And to my dear family (in particular, my husband, Dave; our littles, Melody and Malakai; my mom, Lynn Scott; and my sisters, Camille Trott and Marianna Scott) and friends, thank you for unconditionally loving me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. You make the difference.

Website: www.abundantgracemeetup.com

Instagram: abundant_grace_coaching

Image Credits
Leonard Kinsey