Hadassah Carlson

Life is hard. No one can make it through life without experiencing suffering. While suffering is part of the human experience, since it is personal and specific to each of us, it can feel lonely and isolating. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed or burdened with what you’ve experienced in life. Maybe you’re concerned that the trauma you’ve coped with will hold you back from a loving relationship or a successful career. You might be feeling lost or stuck, like you’re not sure which way to go, or what to do to feel happy. Working through grief, isolation, and suffering helps filter what matters to you the most. While experiencing hope and joy is possible in the midst of an unpredictable life, how do you get from feeling overwhelmed or burdened, to feeling connected to the people around you? If you’re trying to do this on your own, it’s easy to feel stuck and incapable of making the changes you know you need. If you’ve been searching for a way to dig deeper, find connection, or gain awareness, then I’d urge you to reach out. I’ll say it again, health and healing are for you. No matter your circumstance or your experience with therapy, getting started is courageous.

I inherited a defunct theology that impacted my life and relationships. I’ve spent most of my life unlearning toxic theology that told me emotions weren’t important, that our bodies weren’t to be trusted, or that God would sweep in and “break all the walls” down, and that was all I needed. I think the beliefs we learn as children are so closely connected to what we believe about ourselves and the world and how we cope. The good news is that toxic beliefs and patterns of relating to others can be unlearned and health is an option for each of us. I love therapy and know it works first hand because it helped me reclaim my life. Therapy helped me make sense of my spiritual abuse and how my old theology made my current suffering worse. My therapist helped me process what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to get rid of as I examined my faith, one of the most important things to me. Through therapy, I’ve learned to trust my gut and honor my body and my emotions.

My hope is to do the same for others because everyone deserves to have a protected place where they can process their deepest hurts. You’ve heard the saying, “hurt people, hurt people.” I believe that’s true. And I believe that hurt people can become healthy people and leave a legacy of healing and wholeness for the next generation.

Change happens in relationship. That’s what therapy is – a relationship. Research shows that a strong therapeutic relationship is necessary for growth.  When we are vulnerable, there’s connection, and when there’s a connection, that’s where change can begin. Working together looks like exploring difficult areas with empathy and curiosity. We’ll start with the symptoms, and learn what the context is, which involves your thoughts, feelings, and behavior that are connected to your symptoms. We’ll identify what your goals are in therapy, and we will explore what coping skills and interventions work for you to make small but consistent and impactful changes. Every session should leave you feeling connected and with a better understanding of yourself and others. Seeing yourself for who you are and others for who they are is an act of courage, and pursuing healing is one of the bravest things you can do. Health and healing are for you. You are worthy of a safe space to explore your potential.

Give us a call or fill out the form below to set up your first session with me. It would be my privilege to work alongside you.