Earlier in my career, I started working with a beautiful, charismatic, intelligent young woman in her mid-20s named Alyssa. I don’t think either of us realized how much our therapeutic relationship would impact us for years to come.
Alyssa came to me with a smattering of presenting problems. She had recently left an unhealthy relationship and her children were acting out. She complained of depressive symptoms and was exhausted. She had strained relationships with family members that often resulted in conflict or avoidance. She didn’t like herself. Where to begin?!
As our relationship began to unfold I learned more and more about how much she really disliked herself. Alyssa thought she was ugly, stupid, a burden, “too much”. And it became more and more clear to me that these false beliefs were impacting every other area of her life. We began challenging those deeply seeded falsities together. And I got to watch Alyssa’s life unfold in tremendous ways. She began reconciling family relationships and setting boundaries. She started advocating for her children and exhibiting confidence in a way that carried into their own lives. She does public speaking. She’s happy. And in our last session together, she told me she thinks she’s smoking hot!
This giant success story truly propelled me into a passion to help women love themselves into better relationships, careers and health. I see self-confidence with women as a pinnacle to greatness, satisfaction and contentment. This work also challenges me to practice and lean into my own convictions, even on days when I really don’t want to. I continue to grow with every client I connect with, and count my blessings that I get to intimately walk down sacred paths with those who invite me.