My journey to this work was winding. I began my career in early childhood education, for a while serving as the curriculum and assessment director at a national chain of over 450 schools. I burnt out in education, and then spent years working in corporate analytics while I found myself through meditation, breathwork, yoga, and mindful self-exploration. My passion for holistic wellness grew during this, and eventually I transitioned from participant to practitioner. Personally this identity shift solidified when I co-created The Deck of Care in 2021 during the pandemic. 

My personal healing journey was also winding and messy. I spent much of my life before 26 in a state of high-functioning dissociation. When I wasn’t getting top marks and moving up the career ladder, I was suffering (sometimes quietly, sometimes with fireworks) with CPTSD, depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and uncontrolled alcohol use. I bounced between addictive relationships and coping strategies, people pleasing so chronically that I had very little attachment to who I truly was.

My early self-work was characterized by obsessive behavior change. Then came compulsive self-reflection. Eventually, I found self-compassion, and I began shifting to a warmer relationship with myself. After self-compassion, I found healing work easy if I could be playful and in good community. Next came integrated spirituality, and a deep-seated belief that all of my experiences were karmic teachers and that everything in my life had a purpose on my journey. Nowadays, my focus is on bodywork - releasing the trauma stored in my body so that I can truly physically relax - in addition to honoring my deepest values, sense of life purpose and intuition in my daily life.

I share this to say I know, deeply and personally, that healing comes in many forms, in many stages, and that all of them are right. I don’t come to this practice thinking one size fits all, and I know that what is best for the client is what the client knows in their heart is suitable for them at the current moment in life. I recognize that moving too fast or moving in a way the client is not ready for causes more wounding than healing.

After a decade of work, I’ve come a long way. I’ll always be human - still finding myself wishing life was a little different and saying yes when I should say no. But nowadays I’ve really embraced that I’m a compassionate mess - a human being doing his best and who deserves kindness from himself at all points along the journey. I aim to give each of my clients what I can now give myself - unconditional positive regard and acceptance. I truly believe that is the foundation of any healing journey.