Talya Straughter desires to live in a world where people communicate with one another more deeply, are true to their hearts, stop to taste the sweetness of the honeysuckle, and scribble thank you notes by hand. She would also like, at times, a force field around her bedroom that repels a demanding millennial and a 4th grader. She understands that a part of deep communication is silence and separation. As a mental health provider for the Veterans at G.V. Sonny Montgomery in Jackson, MS she is collaborating with staff to integrate mental health services as a component of primary healthcare. She also provides mental health training and consultation through her business, Garden of Confidence, LLC. Talya holds the credentials of National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Counselor.When Talya is not consulting, staffing or collaborating with someone on the journey of improving their mental health, you may find her whipping up a dish, lounging with a book cracked open, or being poured into by her mentors.#justakidfromyazoo, Talya began her educational journey in Yazoo City, MS. She then obtained a bachelors in Communication Disorders and a masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from Jackson State University. Due to her love of learning, she acquired a masters in Marriage and Family Counseling and a doctorate in Professional Counseling from Mississippi College.