Growing up, I was a quiet observer—always watching, imagining, and questioning. I tried hard to “be normal” and “do what I was supposed to do,” but it left me drained, anxious, and deeply unfulfilled. I was living for the approval of others instead of following my own internal compass. Eventually, I chose to pursue my own dreams, and that decision kicked off a messy unraveling. Think less “butterfly emerging” and more “blazing dumpster fire that kept reigniting.” It turns out, there’s truth in the saying “enlightenment is destructive”—because unlearning the stories we’ve told ourselves can shake everything we thought we knew.

But with every collapse came growth. If you're willing to explore your own mental backcountry, you can make it through—and come out stronger, wiser, and more equipped for whatever comes next.

I spent 15 years as a hairstylist in Los Angeles before transitioning into therapy, where I could go deeper with clients. Even behind the chair, I was always driven by the desire to help people express their inner selves outwardly—to show the world who they truly are and build community around that authenticity. Now, as a therapist, I guide clients on a more internal journey: one where we face fears, uncover hidden treasures, get stuck in the quicksand of rumination, learning to self-rescue, and eventually find the trail again.

As creatives, we often don’t fit into the rigid boxes of what’s considered “normal.” We shine in some areas and struggle in others. Our needs are different, our gifts are immense. Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s wrong—it’s about harnessing our strengths and building support systems where we need them. I believe neurodivergence and diversity are superpowers. What sets us apart is exactly what makes us valuable. The answers come from collaboration.