My childhood dream was to become a fashion designer. I claimed to know “fashion” when I saw it. I loved to draw outfits, houses, and pets. I once wrote a song infamously known to my family as “I want it, I like it” (which, yes, sounds exactly like it reads). I longed to drive a fabulous sky blue Toyota Camry Solara convertible—I saw it on the road as a toddler, and convinced my Grandma I’d always wanted it. 

The thing about childhood trauma, though, is that it stunts creativity. Being able to experiment with different modes of expression requires a deep sense of safety. Without a secure base, humans cannot wander or explore.

My own creativity became constricted with age. My focus became safety.

And while this feels painful to write, I want to note that it wasn’t all bad. While trauma is never okay, it’s equally true that survivors are not doomed. We do not have to be prisoners to our experiences, as long as we have the right support and resources. Survivors can be unbelievably resilient.

My personal journey to healing includes years of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. I remain grounded by spending time on my porch, doing yoga, and adopting or fostering animals. The life I’ve built in Cincinnati is so special to me. I blindly moved from North Carolina in 2021, nine hours away from most friends and family. But in doing so, I’ve had the honor to re-define “home.” I adore my local community.

As a result of the work I have done, I have built - and continue to build - my base for safety. As is true for all of us, there are parts of me that don’t always feel okay. But healing is not necessarily learning to be okay—sometimes it’s accepting that you’re not, and then drawing on the resources you need. I also thank survival mode for getting me so far.

The most exciting part of my own healing was my reunion with creativity - welcoming creative expression back into not only my personal life, but my professional life, too. You may see ‘me’ in the way I dye my hair, design my tattoos, or style my outfits. I’ve found healing in curating my workspaces. I consider the uniqueness of my clients, too, in developing conceptualizations and treatment options. The healing world is full of possibilities—more than we might think. 

My goal is to help clients find inner safety, so they may build the life that feels most meaningful to them. And I feel honored to be their guide. In a way, being a therapist is the most fulfilling artistic career I could’ve ever imagined.