We made it through 2024, a year of dizzying and topsy-turvy social, spiritual, mental and political challenges and let downs for so many of us. This feat is not to be understated, and now I give thanks to every client I have had the honor to work with.
Some of you may know that I have been studying to become a therapist, and January 2025 marks my first clinical internship experience during which I’ll be working clinically with individuals, couples and groups. Needless to say I am thrilled! Though this role is new, it alchemizes the work I’ve done with individuals for years. As a new therapist, coach and strategist, and yoga and mindfulness educator, I observe a direct connection between my clients’ external environments and their physical, emotional, and social experiences. We are multidimensional beings, and while our minds and egos may try to compartmentalize the effects of a heartbreak, career disappointment, or unsettling political event, my work consistently reveals how these elements intertwine. Life’s varied experiences inevitably converge into a confluence of biopsychosocial stress, regardless of our efforts to avoid discomfort.This was especially evident in 2024.
Poet Rupi Kaur encapsulates this truth beautifully, writing: “What we lived through is living in us.” Our bodies, hearts, and minds hold the cumulative impact of being human. This makes having a treasure chest of creative, life-affirming resources to process and “gently cleanse” the residual build up of life’s hurts, anxieties, and disappointments invaluable. As a therapist, this is where my work begins.
Though the role of pre-licensed professional therapist is new for me, the journey I embark on with clients is ancient and sacred in my view—and fully a collaborative, experiential, dedicated and compassionate process. It fosters curiosity and a loving connection to oneself, paving the way for richer relationships with others. This work is emotional, mindful, embodied, and somatic, with a deep focus on how words create our worlds, shape our thinking and experiences. My experience with clients leads me to this poignant truth articulated by Parker Palmer, “Our deepest longing is to be witnessed and accompanied, not fixed, saved, or advised.” My role is to support clients in exploring skillful strategies to manage, digest, and even transform stress–and its myriad expressions–into personal power.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a therapist in-training is witnessing resilience in action. Some clients “bounce back” from truly devastating blows, much like an inflatable boxing balloon. Over time, I notice the duration it takes to rebound grows shorter. These incremental shifts often translate into tangible improvements in work, intimacy, family, personal goals, and overall quality of life. Stressful experiences don’t disappear, but clients who commit to therapy learn to address and process challenges one at a time, gaining strength and insight along the way.
When I reflect on my professional “why,” I see it rooted in a deep desire to contribute to collective wellbeing. Regardless of socioeconomic status, political beliefs, or views on issues like reproductive rights, social security, the housing crisis, or climate change, 2024 was a year of shared grief and upheaval. Personal and collective suffering has unmoored many of us. The courage it takes to meet oneself in therapy extends beyond the individual, impacting the relief of suffering in our broader communities.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, I feel immense gratitude for the sacred healing, connection, and resource-building that therapy offers. Here’s to continuing and expanding this vital work together!
I am thrilled to share that sessions with me, as a clinical intern cost $75 at ATD Therapy in New York City. Our practice is committed to making therapy accessible, and for clients with need, we offer a sliding scale from $20-90. Inquire, refer, apply or request at appointment with me today!