Who is Lola Clay from My 600-lb life? What happened to her?
Lola Clay is a psychotherapist who has helped many people overcome their emotional and behavioral challenges on the popular TLC show My 600-lb Life. She is a licensed professional counselor in Texas, certified personnel in Jungian studies, and an award-winning mental health clinician. She has been a practicing counselor for over 20 years and specializes in addiction, weight-loss, sexual health, and impulse control issues. She also speaks in Farsi and can provide services in Spanish and Serbian with translators.
But who is Lola Clay beyond her impressive credentials and soothing voice? What motivated her to pursue a career in psychotherapy and work with Dr. Nowzaradanâs patients? Why did she leave the show after appearing in several seasons? What are her current projects? These are some of the questions that we will explore in this article, as we get to know the real Lola Clay, the person behind the therapist.
How Lola Clay Became a Therapist on My 600-lb Life
Lola Clay is a licensed professional counselor who works with people who struggle with obesity and other mental health issues. She was also a regular therapist on the popular reality TV show My 600-lb Life, where she helped the cast members cope with their emotional challenges and traumas. But how did she get involved with the show in the first place?
Clay shared her story in an interview with Rob Eppolito on his The Person Within YouTube channel. She said that it all started with a phone call from a producer named Micah Hatch, who had found her profile on Psychology Today which says:
“I am an author, motivational speaker, TV personality and wellness expert. My Ph.D. studies include consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health studies and I am Certified in Jungian Studies. The ultimate goal of life is love…Love of self, family, community, and the universe. You can be more connected and feel peace of mind and comfort.”
Hatch told her that he was looking for a therapist who could meet with one of their cast members the next day. Clay initially declined, as she had a busy schedule and did not want to cancel or reschedule her existing clients. She also did not know anything about the show or the doctor who worked with the cast members, Dr. Nowzaradan.
However, her mother, who was with her at the time, convinced her to call back and accept the offer. She said that she knew the show and that it was a great opportunity for Clay to showcase her skills and help more people. Clay agreed and called some of her clients to rearrange their appointments. She then called Hatch back and left a voicemail saying that she was available for the next day.
Hatch called her back and confirmed the details of the meeting. He also told her that the show was produced by Meglo Media, which made Clay realize that it was a legitimate and reputable company. She agreed to meet with the cast member and the rest is history.
Clay said that she was glad that she took the chance and that she enjoys working with the show and the cast members. She said that she has a distinctive voice that people often comment on, but she was impressed by Hatchâs voice, which she described as âangel singingâ. She said that he was very professional and courteous and that he made her feel comfortable and confident.
Lola Clay: Where is she now?
Lola Clay appeared on My 600-lb Life as a therapist for some of the cast members. She made her debut in season 3, episode 4, titled âSusanâs Storyâ, where she helped Susan Farmer cope with her childhood trauma and emotional eating. She also appeared in seasons 7 and 8, assisting more patients with their psychological issues and weight loss journeys.
According to the doctor herself, Clay worked for about six seasons with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, the bariatric surgeon and main star of the show. However, she is no longer part of the show and has moved on to her private practice. She is the co-founder of Zen Imgo PLLC, a company that offers counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. The companyâs YouTube states that it is âcomprised of professional, caring counselors who are dedicated to helping you achieve your goalsâ. Lola Clayâs partner in the company is Crystal Clay, her sister & a licensed chemical dependency counselor and substance abuse professional.
Lola Clayâs departure from the show has sparked some reactions from the fans, who have expressed their admiration and appreciation for her work. On Reddit, there is a discussion thread titled âBring Back Lola Clay!â, where users praise her for style. Some users also compare her to Dr. Matthew Paradise, another therapist on the show.
Lola Clay has not revealed the exact reason why she left the show, but it seems that she is happy and successful in her own business. She has not commented on the Reddit thread or the comparison with Dr. Paradise. She continues to help people overcome their challenges and achieve their goals through her counseling services.
Background: Lolaâs Journey to Psychology
Lola Mae Cynthia Clay was born in July 1975 in Texas, United States, to Emily Joyce Stewart Clay and Emmett Clay. Her mother moved from Beaumont to Port Arthur, and then to Houston, where she met her father in 1969. They were married until her father passed away in 1994. Lola’s mother was in the hospitality business until 2004 and passed away on November 13, 2019, at the age of 77.
Lola grew up with two sisters, Cathy Joyce Clay and Crystal Joy Clay. She was fascinated by the human mind and it was her mother, in particular, who sparked her interest in psychology when Lola was only 10 years old. They would go to the library after work and immerse themselves in the books of the greats, such as Jung, Freud, and Adler.
âWe would look at different books and read things and I discovered some of the greats – Jung, Freud, Adler – and all of this stuff was just very, very interesting to me,â Lola recalls.
But Lola was not only interested in psychology. She also had a passion for modeling, acting, and participating in pageants. She was discovered in a JCPenney one summer while visiting family in California.
Lola was also a keen observer and a good listener, who would pay attention to her environment and the people in it. She was the one who could tell the teacher the truth about what happened when they left the room, because she was listening and honest.
âI consider myself an outgoing person, but slightly reserved, just because it takes me a while, because I like to observe and I participate by observing, yeah, because I see whatâs going on around,â Lola explains.
Lolaâs curiosity and empathy led her to pursue a career in psychology. Lola attended Sterling High School and then pursued her BA in Psychology from Texas Southern University, graduating in 2000. She continued her education at Our Lady of the Lake University, where she completed her MS in Clinical Psychology in 2004. She then enrolled at Saybrook University, where she earned her PhD in Psychology in 2013.
How a rare autoimmune condition almost cost Lola Clay her career and freedom
Lola Clay loved her job as a forensic psychologist at the Harris County Jail, where she would interview and assess inmates for mental health issues. But one day, she faced a terrifying situation that made her question her future.
âI was in this little alone space with the client, and when I got ready to leave, I couldnât stand. I tried and tried and tried and I just couldnât stand,â she recalled. âPhones donât always work in the county, and so I was up there for a long time and I just figured, okay, somebody will notice that Iâm not back at my desk and theyâll come and theyâll get me.â
She was eventually rescued by a colleague, who found her in distress. Clay realized that something was seriously wrong with her, and that she might lose doing what she loved if someone didnât help her soon.
She had been suffering from various symptoms for years, such as night sweats, hip dysplasia, and back pain, but none of the specialists she visited could give her a diagnosis. She even got tested for multiple sclerosis, but the results were negative.
It was only after she found a doctor who specialized in rheumatology that she finally got an answer. She had an autoimmune condition called ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation and fusion of the spine and other joints.
âShe told me, youâre about two years out from being completely paralyzed. Iâm so glad that youâre here,â Clay said.
She learned that her condition had started when she was in her early twenties, and that she already had irreversible damage to her neck and spine. She was devastated, but also relieved to know what was wrong with her.
She said that getting a diagnosis changed her life and gave her a personal freedom that she lived without for years.
âIf youâre never certain of when somethingâs going to go wrong or give out on you, you donât have freedom,â she said.
She now manages her condition with medication and lifestyle changes, and continues to pursue her passion for psychology.Â
Lola Clay: The Psychotherapist Extraordinaire Who Helps People Transform Their Lives
Lola Clay is a psychotherapist extraordinaire and an award-winning mental health clinician from Texas, United States. She is also a television personality, known for her appearances on the show âMy 600-lb Lifeâ, where she helped people with extreme obesity and related issues. She considers therapy to be her gift, her love, and her life.
âI am psychotherapist extraordinaire Lola Clay and I think that says a lot in and of itself,â she says. âI call myself psychotherapist extraordinaire Lola because itâs what I consider to be my gift, my passion, my love, my life.â
Based on what Clay has said, she helps people through a myriad of things, whatever their issue is. She tailors her approach to each individual, depending on their needs and goals. Some people come to her for short-term, solution-focused therapy, while others need long-term, intensive therapy to cope with serious mental illness. Lola Clay uses cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based techniques to help people change their deep-seated behavioral patterns and achieve their desired outcomes.
Lola Clay has more than 20 years of experience in psychotherapy and has overseen 1000s of patients. She has also worked in many renowned mental health facilities, such as the Childrenâs Assessment Center, the Houston Area Womenâs Center, the Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, and the Harris County Jail. She has a private practice in Missouri City, Texas, where she offers individual, group, and family therapy, as well as online counseling and coaching.
Lola Clay also has a love of health and wellness and has been a personal trainer and a fitness instructor.
Who is Lola Clay as seen through her social media?
Lola Clay is a psychotherapist, podcaster, and cancer advocate who shares her insights, experiences, and advice on her social media platforms. She has over 3K followers on Instagram and around 5K followers on Twitter, where she posts about topics such as mental health, self-care, mindful eating, and personal growth.
Lola Clay is a cancer advocate. Her mother Emily was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2018. She underwent several treatments and surgeries to fight the disease and passed away in November 2019. Lola uses social media platforms to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and support. Lola Clay is also a runner who has participated in marathons for charitable causes. In September 2023, she announced that she was running the New York City marathon for the Lustgarten Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds research for pancreatic cancer. She has also revealed her affiliation with Lyfebulb, another non-profit that empowers patients and caregivers living with chronic diseases.
Lola Clay is not shy to share her personal life and memories with her fans. She often posts pictures of her family, friends, and travels on her Instagram account. She has also shared throwback photos from her high school prom, her 21st, and her early career as a site manager and celebrity ambassador for U.S. Concepts.
She also celebrates her motherâs birthday and her own New Yearâs resolutions on her social media.
Lola Clay is also a podcaster who hosts a show called What Would Lola Say? on the Zen Imago YouTube Channel. The podcast features Lolaâs opinions and advice on various topics such as relationships, communication, self-esteem, and happiness. She also invites guests and experts to share their perspectives and stories on the podcast.
Lola Clay is a psychotherapist who has a masterâs degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in counseling psychology. She is the founder of a private practice that offers individual, couples, and family therapy. She also works as a consultant and trainer for various organizations and institutions. She specializes in areas such as trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, and multicultural issues.
Lola Clay Wiki/Bio Facts
| Fact | Lola Clay |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lola Clay |
| Date of birth | July 1975 |
| Place of birth | Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Gender | Female |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Parents | Emily Joyce Stewart Clay and Emmett Clay |
| Siblings | Cathy Joyce Clay and Crystal Joy Clay |
| Education | Sterling Highschool, Texas Southern University (B.A), Our Lady of the Lake University (M.S), Saybrook University (Ph.D.) |
| Degrees | A.B.D., Ph.D., LPC-S, CART, BCPC |
| Occupation | Psychotherapist, counselor, TV personality |
| TV show | My 600-lb Life |
| Role | Therapist and host |
| Website | lolaclay.com |
| Height (approx) | 5 feet 5 inches |
| Weight (about) | 65 kg |
| Body measurements | 35-30-37 inches |
| Eye color | Dark Brown |
| Hair color | Black |
| Marital status | Unknown |
| Children | Unknown |
| Net worth | Over $1 million (USD) |
| Languages | English, Farsi |
| Favorite quote | N/A |
| Favorite food | N/A |
| Favorite color | N/A |
| Favorite animal | N/A |
| Favorite flower | N/A |
| Favorite season | Spring |
| Favorite holiday | Thanksgiving |
| Favorite sport | N/A |
| Favorite team | N/A |
| Favorite music genre | N/A |
| Favorite place | N/A |
| Dream destination | N/A |
| Zodiac sign | Unknown |
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