Misunderstood: An evening of real discussion about mental illness and being human.

The WHY? behind this event:

"When I first started in this field I did a lot of speaking. I was the“poster child” of sorts describing my experience with the knowledge and understanding I had at the time. It’s been years since I was known as “the therapist who got better” and I love that. It was important to me to have an identity beyond that.  After some conversations with the team, some clients asking about my experience, and hearing Nick Petrella at our event in November, I realized I may have some hopeful things to share. I had to talk myself through the uncomfortable feelings that come with “drawing attention to myself” in this way. It’s important to me that people know things can get better. That there is hope. I had to remind myself that I do have some important things to say.   

We all have our stuff. There are still so many people who view others as “having it all together” I hope to bring some humility to a story of pretty dark times contrasting with where I am now. At 40 recovery feels different than it did at 30, at 28 and likely at 50. When you’re struggling with an Eating Disorder, Panic, or Depression it’s pretty easy to lose yourself to the struggle. I do this work because I know people can get well. As cliche as it sounds, I built this team because I didn’t want anyone going through what I did. "

Misunderstood is an event dedicated to bringing awareness to the value of lived experience in mental healthcare and to offering some hope to those struggling to find their 'why'.

There has been a significant shift in the last several years. Lived experience is far more valued in some professional spheres, than it once was. 

As a Registered Psychotherapist, clinic owner, program designer, board member, student etc; my experience has not always been valued. There was a lot of shame and expectations I placed on myself to "make up" for the fact that I had a personal experience on the other side of the therapist's chair. In the clinical field, we are starting to recognize,  more than ever, why our experiences matter and the importance of the personal experience. 

I have "told my story" twice before. Both times It was very much a timeline of events. I recognize now in my 40s, the need to tell my story in a different way. This event is an opportunity to hear me speak about my experience being diagnosed with an Eating Disorder and how my life flipped upside down after that. Learn about my experience in the mental healthcare system, the obstacles I faced to get well and my views about the downfalls of our current system of treatment. 

"Hear about my experiences as a survivor of what I can now see is a very broken system of treating mental health. Here about how  I went from not seeing the point to living, putting my entire life on hold, an array of different meds, treatments and doctors and now being on the other side."

Disclaimer: Real discussions around personal experiences with mental illness are not meant to inform treatment, or act as advice. Listening to someone describe their experiences is often hard to sit through and is not for everyone.  If you are unsure of whether this is a good fit for you please contact us. 

Join us for this discussion, which will hopefully instill some hope. 

Lots of time for questions and answers as part of the evening.

Investment $25.00 per person, if the fee is a barrier please let us know. We find a small fee is helpful in ensuring people attend events, this event is a way to give back and we want to make the barriers as low as possible. 

100% of the funds will go towards funding our sliding scale client session fees.