The Innovative Therapist

Last Thursday, I hosted my 1st Mother-Daughter Play & Connection event at the beautiful New Growth Project farm. Afterwards, my 9-year-old daughter turned to me and said, "I really felt like myself tonight, mom."😭😭

Less than 24 hours later, I spoke to 120 women as the warm-up speaker to the amazing Yasmine Arrington Brooks (Yasmine (Yaz-meen) Arrington Brooks | Motivational Speaker) at the last RockStar Woman Movement SOAR session, under the leadership of Shannon Cohen.

I shared how tremendously healing play and creativity have been for me. Even more than therapy in many ways.

As I reflected on why the event was so special to me, the answer was pretty simple.

My daughter already said it:
I felt like myself.

I was authentically me. A little nervous. Wearing second-hand jeans and a comfy RSW t-shirt. Sharing my truth, and helping others experience a little taste of play for themselves.

So often, work roles can pull us away from who we truly are. The role of therapist has done that for me at times. But it doesn't need to be that way.

I'm coming back to myself more and more every day, and you can too.

I work with helpers and creatives to help them develop self trust, and ultimately work and personal lives that are nourishing, not depleting.

If this is intriguing to you, let's talk.

Until then, here's to being more of ourselves each and every day.

Still processing my gratitude for this beautiful event last week. I’m still obsessed with all the colors.

So grateful for Liz of Liz for her willingness to collaborate and create a connection focused watercolor class.

Grateful for the moms and daughters who trusted me to do my first family friendly event focused on play and connection.

And last but not least SO grateful for New Growth Project farm for providing one of the most beautiful backgrounds I’ve ever had for an event. And even allowing everyone to cut their own bouquet.💐

If you aren’t already, follow New growth project farm and see all the amazing things they are doing to provide meaningful work for people with disabilities.💜

If you’re interested in future events focused on play and connection, make sure you click the link in my bio and / or message me!

I’ll be breaking down the process of creating these event in a future podcast so make sure to follow the innovative therapist podcast so you don’t miss it!

In the world of AI and information overload, self-trust and inner leadership has never been more essential. Looking to re build self trust? Or lets be real for many of us, build it for the first time? Join us in Norton Shores this October 5-8 for a 3 night immersive retreat. Private chef curated meals, yoga, dance on the beach, lots of creativity and play. 2 months of post retreat integration support to integrate the desires that came alive for you on the lake. Message me to discuss further!

Come Back to Yourself | Lake Michigan Retreat & Integration A restorative Lake Michigan retreat and two-month integration experience for deeply capable women ready to trust themselves and create lives that feel nourishing rather than depleting.

So grateful this gets to be my life.
That I get to be part of art like this.💜🥹

I don’t post pics of my kids on social but if I did I would also post a pic of them having so much fun together in the pool earlier tonight.

This stuff: art, moving, expressing, following your desires, being present in the moment. This is what it’s about, people.

So freaking grateful.
Threshold Dance Project
The Blue Hour Studio

People say it's hard to make friends as an adult.

And it certainly can be.

But over the past six years, I've made some of the deepest friendships of my life. Friendships that started with a podcast interview, a retreat, or simply reaching out to say, "I love what you're doing."

These women have reminded me that while social media has major downsides when we just scroll, it can also be a place to find people who truly see and get you in your current season of life.

My advice for finding lasting friendship in adulthood?
✨ Find people you can PLAY and laugh with.
✨ People who get excited about your dreams.
✨ And people who don't just accept you, but celebrate you exactly as you are.

Today I'm especially grateful for Adia (), Kara (), Sumer (), Julia (), Sarah (), Samantha (), and Janice (.janicecastro). I could honestly name so many more. (One of the unexpected gifts of my podcast has been meeting the coolest humans.)

I also have lifelong friends I cherish deeply, including some I've known since preschool. But I wanted to share these more recent friendships because they're a reminder that it's never too late to find meaningful connection.

If you've been feeling lonely, please don't lose hope.

Social media can absolutely leave us feeling disconnected. But it can also become a bridge to authentic, life-changing relationships... if we're willing to be vulnerable and risk rejection.

So send the message. ("Wanna be friends?" 😄)
Invite that person to coffee.
Say yes to the Zoom call.
Go to the meetup.
Sign up for the retreat (see what I did there? ;)

All relationships that change our lives begin with one small act of courage.

Happy International Friendship Day to all of my internet friends who became real-life friends. ❤️ (Chicago, Louisiana, and Toronto are all represented in these photos!) I can't wait for our next adventure together.