I learned about the powerful use of healing through the body by accident. Someone literally tried to destroy my life. They didn't physically assault me but they held no punches with attacks on my character, reputation, children and career. For 2 years, they used anything they could find to hurt me and I thought it would never end. I was so ashamed to tell anyone about how much fear this created in me - fear that made me question my faith in my God...I felt so ashamed. I was angry at God because He'd already let me go through so much trauma in my childhood and throughout my adult years.
I felt alone and unprotected by everyone and every system that failed to put a stop to what felt like a living nightmare. I was in therapy with someone who only used talk therapy and it didn't help the intrusive memories and catastrophic thinking that tortured my mind with even more fear. Not to mention the endless anxiety that tightened my chest and throat and caused every stomach issue imaginable. I was heartbroken: Here I was in grad school pursuing my purpose to help others overcome their hurt and I was drowning in my own. The pain was so unbearable. Even with the abuse and traumas I'd gone through before, I'd never felt so afraid to be inside of my own body - like I couldn't stand to be in my own skin.
I couldn't sleep during this time and one night, I found a discount voucher for 10 classes at a fitness studio. The owner encouraged me to try a yoga class they offered. At the end of one of them, I felt this intense urge to cry and I had no idea why. I didn't know then how emotions can get trapped in our bodies and the body is often the only way to release them and heal the deep soul wounds that come with living. I found a new therapist who encouraged me to reconnect with the parts of myself I'd unconsciously rejected and I added movement, mindfulness and breathwork to my spiritual practices. Little by little, the agonizing fear, anxiety and depression started to shift. I began accepting myself as is and embodying who I am and who I have the right to be - my complete and true self.
This and all of my life's experiences led me to study approaches to therapy that consider all aspects of the human condition. Eventually, I could acknowledge the purpose behind all of my experiences - even the painful ones - that God allowed to happen in my life: To better relate to and support you in your journeys. And while you may not share my spiritual beliefs, I am confident that we do share the universal and human experience of suffering and its affects on the mind, body and soul. Now, I understand that my pain along with my personal experiences and professional training continuously equip me to provide the Attuned Counseling Services that support you - the women I serve - as you work toward your own healing - and I'm grateful for it all.
Learn more about working with me: click here to schedule a free 20-minute consultation.
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