Hidden Gems: Meet Mark Chaney-Gay of Chaney Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Chaney-Gay.

Hi Mark, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born with a disability, cerebral palsy and I was raised in foster care. These experiences lead me toward therapy and disability awareness and advocacy. I pursued social work in college and then got licensed as an LCSW. I have always wanted to be in private practice. It means a lot to me to own my business and be independent. I am thankful I get to use my work to support others.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The road to where I am today has been filled with challenges and roadblocks, but I made it through. I was born prematurely and diagnosed with cerebral palsy—challenge.Then, I entered foster care another struggle. I got through it The road to get where I am today was challenging, but it was also paved with determination. My disability can impact my work at times, injuries, falls, but it teaches me to adapt. These challenges and experiences also led me to do awareness and advocacy around my disability. I am a gay, disabled therapist. I embrace it all in my life and my work.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a therapist. I have my own practice, Chaney Therapy. I provide therapy and work with individuals and couples. I do not specialize exactly, but I work with presenting problems like disability, chronic illness, LGBTQ depression and anxiety. I have a passion for disability and chronic illness. It is important to me to be visible, because therapists who share that lived experience of disability, can be hard to find. I also have a passion for incorporating a disability lens into the therapy techniques I use, to better support clients with these experiences.

I have also begun to create empowerment and awareness products, including T-shirts. It has been a new experience, but fulfilling. It has allowed me to express that desire for advocacy and awareness in a new way.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Advice for others starting out? Keep going. The road to anything is going to be challenging, but rewarding if you keep going. There might be people who don’t believe in you or discourage you, but keep going. One day you will look back at those challenges and struggles and be proud, proud not just of where you are, but that you kept going.

Pricing:

• I accept multiple insurances
• Private pay is also available 175 (sliding scale based on need)
• Awareness T Shirts $20-3o

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chaneytherapylcsw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.gay.disabled.therapist/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GayDisabledTherapist