The bigness of your emotions gets to exist in this therapy space. To have a witness meet the fullness of who you are, no critique, no judgment. No rushing to fix or solve in the ways capitalism has conditioned urgency and speed.

Oftentimes, we don’t realize the impact of months, years, or decades of repressed and ignored emotions and experiences, craving a safe enough relationship to be expressed.

I know this to be true because the first few years of my personal therapy journey provided me with the conditions to be held in the darkest places and celebrated in the most glorious (and often tiniest) wins. That wasn’t always available in the ways I needed it, and blame doesn’t need to be placed anywhere. It was simply the conditions I was in.

I grew up as a 1st generation Canadian. My ancestors were from India and migrated to East Africa, where my parents were born and raised. When expelled in 1972, they arrived in Canada. The excitement and promise of opportunity were short-lived. My Dad struggled to assimilate, and had struggled deeply with his mental and emotional well-being. My Mom’s disabilities became more prevalent. Our home was a melting pot of stress, tension, and eruptions of frustration at times. I quickly learned who I had to be to keep the peace. I was the absorber and observer. I picked up on tone, body cues, the way a door was closed, or the way someone walked into the room. I was a good helper and mediator. I made sure everyone’s needs were met. And while I still love these generous parts of myself, in excess they left me depleted, angry, lonely and really longing to be cared for without feeling I owe anyone.

In 2022, my Dad passed away unexpectedly and tragically. I was with him in his last weeks and had the privilege of caring for him, which was both truly remarkable and gut-wrenching all at once. My Dad’s death has taught me so much, and will continue to. Loss, grief, the world spinning in madness is the reality. And joy, love, gratitude and audacious hope can also be a reality. They can coexist. In fact, they must.

We call on the wisdom of the body to align with new actions, responses, choices, and different ways of being. You learn to let love, joy, connection and hope reach you. You get clear on your needs, wants and how to move with a little more courage, a little less freeze. Your most liberated self is waiting for you.