This is a fascinating discussion with Jacob Blackstock covering topics that are top of mind right now - loneliness, social isolation, vulnerability, and the difference between surviving and thriving. What do thriving and having a community look like in these pandemic days? Listen in for Jacob's encouraging insights.

• "You don't want the perfect to be the enemy of the good."
  
  
• "If you have a longing for deeper connection, it's normal - it's build into your DNA."
  
  
• "If you can accept yourself - have compassion for yourself and have compassion for other people; if you are a part of a group that has your back and you feel supported, loved, and safe - that's thriving!"

Here are some resources we discussed:

• Book: Loneliness by John Cacioppo and William Patrick
• Book: Social : Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Matthew Lieberman
• The Attachment Project 
• Cognitively Based Compassion Training
• Brene Brown's Ted Talk: The Power of Vulnerability
• Book: Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson

Jacob Blackstock, LCMHCA, NCC earned his Master of Education (M.ED.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UNC Pembroke in 2016 and is currently finishing a PhD degree in Counseling and Counselor Education from UNC Greensboro. Jacob’s dissertation research focuses on loneliness in young adults and Jacob hopes to use this research to help young adults form healthier connections with others. Jacob has experience working in hospital, community agency, psychiatric ward, and college counseling settings. 

Jacob has received training in Transactional Analysis (TA), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Through these therapies Jacob helps clients to discover their patterns and how to let go of patterns that no longer serve them. Jacob also utilizes bodily awareness and breathwork to mitigate the effects of trauma and help clients obtain release from stress that lives in the body. Jacob has received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Fuller Seminary where he studied guilt, shame, and religious trauma.

If you would like additional information about these topics, Jacob Blackstock can be contacted at jsblacks@uncg.edu.