My Story
Before we begin our work together, I want to share a part of my journey with you. Healing is deeply personal and powerful. I know what it means to face hard times, move through trauma, and fight for a life that feels true to who you are.
My story isn’t just about where I’ve been, it’s about what I’ve learned, the challenges I’ve faced, and how those experiences shaped me into the person and therapist I am today.
My time in the military, my own healing journey, and my deep connection to Mother nature and the universe all guide the way I see and support others.
This is my story, but more importantly, I hope it reminds you that healing is possible. You are not alone, and together, we can create a path toward change, growth, and empowerment.
From Chaos to Courage
By 1995, I had fallen into one of the darkest times of my life. I was consumed by anger, fear, and sadness, feelings that were painfully familiar but hit harder than ever before. I had been in this place before, staring into the same emptiness, but something inside me had changed.
A quiet, determined voice told me I couldn’t keep living this way. I was done repeating the same painful patterns. I knew that if I didn’t make a change, if I didn’t choose myself, I’d stay trapped in this cycle or lose myself completely. That moment of clarity was terrifying, but it was also undeniable.
I’ve never been one to follow the crowd. I’ve always chosen the road less traveled, pushed back against the “shoulds,” and defied the expectations others tried to place on me. It wasn’t enough to go my own way, I wanted to prove people wrong. And if anyone tried to box me in, I wasn’t shy about letting them know exactly how I felt and what I thought about their opinion.
Fueled by anger, fear, and sheer determination, I stood at a crossroads with almost no options left. But one thing was clear. I refused to be just another statistic, I was determined to prove them wrong. F@#k that. I could do better. I would do better. I was going to be better. I had dreams, I had goals, and more than anything, I wanted to escape the chaos my life had become.
So, shortly before my twentieth birthday, I made a life-changing decision, I joined the United States Navy.
The Navy: Escape, Structure, and Awakening
That decision changed everything.
The Navy became my escape, a chance to start over and build a life beyond the chaos I had always known. It gave me structure, discipline, and purpose, along with opportunities I had only dreamed of. For the first time, I felt in control of my life.
I loved serving my country, traveling the world, and being part of something bigger than myself. I took great pride in being a Sailor.
What I didn’t realize was that I couldn’t outrun my past. The pain, fear, and patterns I thought I’d left behind followed me into this new chapter. While the Navy gave me strength and purpose, it also became a mirror, reflecting everything I still needed to heal.
I began to see that pain and trauma don’t disappear just because we change our surroundings, they follow us until we face them.
As I came to terms with that, I realized I was still hurting and often found myself the victim of others’ actions. I became consumed by anger and a fierce determination to protect myself and those around me. I wanted to stop the abuse, inspire change, and make things better, not just for me, but for everyone.
But somewhere along the way, I lost my direction and myself. After countless attempts to fix situations and people, I had to face a painful truth: I had failed. I had become the very thing I once despised. I was toxic. I was the bully. I had turned into the person I would proudly tell to F@#k off, without hesitation. That realization left me feeling ashamed, hollow, and deeply disappointed in myself.
The Turning Point
The first time I went to therapy, I was around twelve or thirteen. I didn’t really understand why I was there or what I was supposed to say, but I do remember learning to play my first card game: Uno!
(If you ever want to challenge me, I’m always up for a game. Fair warning: I rarely lose, especially at Texas Hold’em!)
It was during this time in my Navy career that I decided to go back to therapy. I wasn’t sure why, only that I wasn’t happy with myself. I didn’t know what to say or do, but I knew I needed help and had no one else to turn to.
Therapy wasn’t easy. It forced me to face everything I had buried, the pain, the patterns, and the armor I had carried for years. There were times I avoided, lied, and even quit. Still, I kept coming back because deep down I knew I wanted to heal, and healing required honesty, courage, and vulnerability.
As I searched for meaning, I began reflecting on who I truly wanted to be, the dreams I once had, and the people who made a difference in my life. That’s when I decided to reclaim my purpose, to get a degree in psychology and finally pursue the path I had envisioned long ago: to heal, to help, and to create change, not just for myself, but for others.
A Spiritual Reconnection
While serving in Naples, Italy, I reconnected with something I had long suppressed, my spiritual connection to Mother Nature and the Universe.
As a child, I had always been curious about life’s mysteries, energy, and what some might call “woo-woo” or “witchy.” But that curiosity often clashed with my strict religious upbringing.
One day, I stumbled upon a book in a small shop on base that spoke directly to my soul. It reawakened my belief in something greater, in energy, intuition, and the wisdom of the Universe, and marked the beginning of my spiritual path.
That rediscovery changed me. I realized I wasn’t living in alignment with my values. If I wanted a different life, I had to start living differently. Healing, I learned, requires balance of the mind, body, and spirit.
For the first time, I felt empowered to embrace my true self, reconnect with the parts of me I loved, and live according to my own truth.
“Healing requires alignment of the mind, body, and spirit.”
Becoming the Therapist I Needed
As both a therapist and someone who has been a client, I know what it feels like to sit in therapy and not feel fully seen or heard, especially when it comes to spirituality.
I remember once telling my therapist that I felt the moon’s phase was affecting my emotions. They quickly dismissed it, saying, “That’s not possible. The moon has nothing to do with your emotions.”
That moment left me feeling misunderstood and hesitant to bring up my spirituality again, even though it is deeply connected to my mental and emotional well-being. Therapy was helpful and it’s a big part of who I am today, but not being able to share and honor that part of myself created a divide between me, my therapist, and my healing. I was left feeling disconnected and ashamed.
Over time, hiding that part of myself became exhausting and created resentment. My spirituality isn’t just a small piece of who I am; it’s the foundation. My soul. It shapes how I think, feel, and move through the world every day.
Those experiences taught me how important it is to have a space that feels safe, inclusive, and free of judgment—a space where every part of you is welcome, including your spiritual or religious beliefs.
That truth ignited a deeper purpose in me: to become the therapist I once needed. I sought out like-minded healers and fellow therapists who were ready to challenge the status quo (something I’ve always been known to do) and build a space where clients could bring their whole selves, mind, body, and spirit, without fear of being dismissed.
Along the way, I found the confidence to embrace my own “witchiness” as part of who I am as a therapist. I now offer therapy that honors the connection between psychology and spirituality, where evidence-based practice meets soul-centered healing.
When clients feel safe enough to bring their beliefs into the room, I’ve watched their healing deepen in powerful, unexpected ways.
Whether you’re healing from trauma, searching for meaning, or exploring spiritual growth, I’m here to hold space for all of you.
This is the space I once needed and now, it’s the space I hold for others.
Before You Go
Before you go, I want to share something personal that means a lot to me.
The song “Have It All” by Jason Mraz inspires the work I do and captures my hope for every person I meet.
I invite you to listen with intention and as a friend once told me, “Sing it to your inner child.”
Let it remind you that no matter where you are on your journey, you have the power to heal, grow, to have it all, and become the truest version of yourself.
Jason Mraz - Have It All (Official Video)
May you walk gently with yourself, trust your path, and remember that the magic you seek has always lived within you.
Blessed Be! Christina