From a young age, I’ve felt a quiet pull—a desire not just to witness, but to walk alongside others in their healing journeys. My own experiences have shown me the deep weariness that often accompanies self-advocacy, especially for girls navigating spaces where their voices go unheard.

The struggles children and adolescents face—from the pressures of social expectations in elementary, middle, and high school to the challenges of finding their identity and belonging in college—are significant. Girls often feel the weight of conforming to societal expectations about appearance and behavior, navigating friendships that can be fraught with competition and exclusion. The pressure to excel academically while balancing extracurricular commitments and social lives can feel overwhelming, leading to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, many girls grapple with the complexities of identity, striving to define themselves amid narrow standards of success, beauty, and worth.

These challenges have fueled my belief that access to accommodations and resources, particularly for those with disabilities, are not a privilege but a right. I am dedicated to validating the experiences of girls who often feel overlooked and misunderstood, advocating for a world where inclusion and empowerment are a given, not an exception.

My passion for healing work blossomed as I began interning at SHEchiatry, a place that has become a second home, where I’ve been uplifted, supported, and inspired to both learn and grow. The journey through my Master’s in Social Work at The Ohio State University is more than academic—it’s an unfolding of purpose, deepening my commitment to creating space for others to heal and thrive.

Children and adolescents, in particular, remind me daily of the beauty in seeing the world with fresh eyes. They teach us the art of curiosity, rediscovering wonder and wisdom in even the smallest moments. Through their lens, we can remember parts of ourselves we’ve long forgotten. I carry this perspective with me as I continue to learn, grow, and pursue my LCSW licensure—honored to hold space for others on their path to healing and to walk with them as they find their way.