In the summer of 2019, I attended the Conscious Feminine Leadership Academy (CFLA) offered by Women Writing for a Change. I had participated in writing circles with Women Writing for a Change (WWfaC) off and on for about 12 years at that point. These circles were a place where I could explore my thoughts and emotions, found space that held my words and where I could hold the words of other women, and where I processed the grief following the death of my mother.
When I first began participating with Women Writing for a Change, I understood feminism as a place where women would be placed first and frankly helped women go after the things that men traditionally held. WWfaC taught me that feminism is about:
- honoring vulnerability,
- living whole-hearted,
- offering unwavering compassion,
- practicing collaboration,
- keeping boundaries with firmness and kindness,
- listening rather than fixing,
- providing space for everyone’s voice and views, with respect,
- holding deep compassion for all living things,
- following a path of justice and balance
Attending the Conscious Feminine Leadership Academy was foundational in my creating Rooted Compassion. I had spent far too many years in places both professionally and personally where I was expected to fit my square self into a round hole. As I healed (and continue to heal) my own trauma, I have found that it is in my heart and body to live in a way where everyone’s voice matters and are offered compassion, and where boundaries are held with love and kindness. I always knew I would start my own private practice in mental health counseling and it was through CFLA that the path of creation became clear.
Several years ago, inspired by my dear friend Jen Flick, I chose a word for the year. That word was compassion. Focusing on compassion for an entire year changed everything about my life. I went in thinking I would have more compassion for others but what happened is I developed a sense of self compassion that has been life changing. I want to offer that opportunity to clients: to develop a sense of self compassion so that they might come to know peace and see the beauty within themselves.
I love trees! And at CFLA, we spoke a great deal about our roots, plant roots and the beautiful trees on the retreat center grounds. I have a deep appreciation for my own roots, my ancestors and the foundation that has been laid for me. I know for certain that I am held by my parents, sister, aunts, uncles and grandparents as I do this work. My work is rooted in the compassion I feel from them. And so, I arrived at Rooted Compassion as the name for this practice. I want clients to know that this practice is led with compassion that is strongly rooted.
I seek to hold compassion for our clients and for our clinicians, both. I believe in supporting clinicians and our administrative support staff with the practices as listed above.
