Healing Pain
through Expression

I'm an EMDR and somatic therapist and healer, co-facilitating Creative Connection virtual art retreat. I am an art lover, and find joy and infusing creativity into all areas of my life and work. I feel so fortunate to collaborate with a soulful artist like Catherine and offer something truly special that alchemizes our passions and life experiences to help those who are navigating life with chronic pain or illness. 
 
I have lived with chronic illness since 2011 when I got Lyme disease. It felt as if my whole world crashed down around me. This coincided with my Saturn Return, around age 29. I became bed-ridden, had to leave my job and new apartment and move in with my parents. I began a soul-level journey of healing. In addition to working with my doctors, I integrated other healing modalities such as nutrition, meditation, hypnosis, somatic therapy and yoga.  When I healed enough to return to life, I became a health-supportive personal chef and cooked for others with chronic illness. My path eventually led me to becoming a somatic therapist. Today, my life is still deeply impacted by chronic illness, and the expressive arts have been an undeniably important part of my healing - this includes taking guitar and singing lessons, watercolor, and free writing. 

​

I am so grateful to be divinely called to connect and work with Catherine to offer a magical space where we can offer our gifts in community with you! 

I'm an artist, communication coach, speech therapist, world explorer, and nature lover co-facilitating Creative Connection's virtual art retreats for people with chronic pain and illness. I met Kristin and we immediately connected. We have had so many instances of creative synchronicities during our work together that makes this project feel even more meaningful as it pertains to the idea of healing through Connection.

 

This project comes so close to my heart, both as an artist and through personal experiences with chronic pain and disability. My chronic pain journey began about 18 years ago when my health took a wild turn seemingly overnight. My hands and arms began to mysteriously start hurting. I couldn't write, type, or do artwork for very long. Since then, my undiagnosed condition has spread to other parts of my body. I had to relearn how to live with this chronic pain and disability. And though my condition is still present, I have found so much joy and satisfaction in life. Art and creativity have played a dominant role in how I have been able to reframe my experience. What once I saw as a tragedy, I now feel has been a blessing in many ways.

​

Being here in collaboration with Kristin to help people find healing through art and personal connection is yet another beautiful way my own chronic pain has gifted me the opportunity to support and inspire others on their own journeys.