I'm a bi cisgender woman (she/her), first generation Ukrainian-American immigrant, and an artist of many forms.
Expressing myself creatively has always felt natural. As a child, I would scribble pictures of my family, pen fanciful stories, and create detailed dance productions in the living room just for fun. But as time went on, perfectionism mixed with the social pressure to be good made me fall out of love with creativity. I traded in my imagination for an obsession with the western version of success.
After rushing through high school and college in just 6 years, I began experiencing panic attacks and unexplainable physical ailments. My mental health became debilitating as I struggled with the unknowns of young adulthood. I was successful, but why wasn't I happy? Upon quitting my fifth job in one year, I had no choice by to face the hidden trauma stored in my body after decades of being "fine", and the ongoing path of healing began.
​
Through therapy, I learned I could create meaning from my painful past, reclaim my voice and feel safety in my body like I never had before. It transformed my life so deeply, that I decided to become an Expressive Arts Therapist to help others reclaim the stories of their lives too. I began studying for my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy at Lesley University in 2016 and opened my practice in 2020. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist.
Photo Credit: Janette Casolary
