As a psychotherapist, it’s my responsibility to create safe spaces for people to explore their stories and take ownership of the direction for which it's going. It takes a lot of courage to dive into ourselves this way. It’s not often that clients get a glimpse into their therapist’s story, but for sake of safety and connection, here’s a piece of my story: 

 

Being raised in a religious bubble that denied mental illness and mental health issues, it felt as though my reality was being denied. Studying psychology was what finally started to explain the issues that members of my family and friends were battling. It helped me to accept and navigate my surroundings despite the misunderstandings of those closest to me. So, I kept studying and studying. 

 

It wasn’t just the alleviation of frustration that kept me engaged in psychology; rather, it was the realization that I could be a part of the process for someone to find themselves and find joy before, during, and after life’s most heartbreaking and debilitating moments. Some of my favourite memories of this are incredibly simple and easy to miss - like watching a woman suffering from severe depression deeply laugh for the first time in years. 

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We all have a story. Unfortunately, our pain, mental health challenges, our values and beliefs, and the actions and behaviours of others distract us from writing our stories as free agents in our lives. Instead, we depersonalize ourselves. It's in this place where our identity is overcome by our circumstances: stuck, lost, depressed, anxious, childless, and broken. 

 

Joy can be felt in the darkest and hardest seasons, when our identity isn’t dictated by our circumstances. By diving deep into our stories, we have the opportunity to become more aware of how our experiences and trauma have tried to change us. This awareness allows us to make better, more informed decisions that foster hope for a joyful future, a joyful story despite our circumstances. 

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My story has led me to discovering that my purpose is found in helping others reevaluate and take back the joy in their story. Creating a safe space and maintaining mindfulness and respect for the beliefs and values for every client is something that I adhere to strictly - regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, political standing, and the like. My goal will always remain the same: to help uncover the joyful person in every story.