I started solo traveling as a gift to myself after graduate school studies. Inside of me has always been a deep curiosity for people, places and experiences. My fascination with learning about other cultures and ways of life runs in my DNA. As of now, I have taken several solo trips and my love for adventure increases exponentially each time.
As a psychotherapist, I am endlessly growing, evolving, and learning. I enjoy connecting with others, and witnessing our common humanity, struggles, joys and lived experiences. I am amazed at the journey of life that is so unique for each one of us. I am enthralled at human resiliency-when trauma, heartache, brokenness faces us…we DO survive and with an opportunity- we thrive. I have witnessed this on my travels, meeting people from all over the world. This keeps me inspired to continue to do trauma therapy and I view traveling as a protective factor against cynicism or hopelessness that I could easily fall into.
Traveling solo has given me a multitude of opportunities to:
- Be vulnerable with spontaneity
- Take risks I wouldn’t otherwise take in day to day life
- Embrace the present moment OVER AND OVER again. Love this one!
- Stretch outside of my comfort zone
- Laugh at myself; laugh along with strangers
- Cry and feel terribly frustrated due to being a directionally challenged human
- Trust and sense that most people are inherently good people
- And most of all, build the curiosity muscle inside me
CURIOSITY
When we stop being curious, I believe we interrupt opportunities for happiness. Listening to the “spark” inside of me that urges me -sometimes gently, sometimes a little harder- to make that next leap in my travel has reinforced to me the power of intuition at the core of my being. By engaging in what I love deeply, I show up more with all of me present in the therapy room.
INTUITION
I hold this hope for each client that I am privileged to work alongside-that they too, tune inward to what their own true self is calling/needing/seeking/desiring. Building this muscle of intuition (or instinct) has guided me in the therapy room with clients. Yes, I make recommendations based on clinical assessment, education, or sometimes even life experience…but also because I tune into my gut (our second brain) which continually gives me information on where to go next with someone or learn when I need to just be alongside clients with intentional silence.
And….when I get it wrong, I hope my clients feel comfortable to tell me. We can talk about it, name it, and keep the connection going. I trust in the healing nature of the therapist/client relationship, in the power of the therapy room by holding silence and space; most of all I trust in the human resiliency and ultimately the strength of the body-mind-spirit connection within ALL of us because I have witnessed it amongst countless strangers.
NOW GET OUT THERE AND GIVE THAT CURIOSITY MUSCLE A WORKOUT!
Be well,
