It was 1997 when my husband, Shawn, and I moved into our Mill Creek home and began establishing roots here. At the time, we were expecting our first child. Shawn had just begun his career at Boeing and I was approximately one year into my Bachelor’s degree. I hadn’t chosen a major, but I already knew what career I was likely to pursue, mental health therapy. 

As a teenager, I was deeply influenced by a therapist who helped me process my emotions related to my parents’ divorce. From that young age I knew the profession could be a good fit because in almost all my relationships I was the “listener”, and I loved helping people. Simultaneously, I was also heavily involved in the Performing Arts. Performing was my passion. My dream was to be a professional performer, but I thought that was “pie in the sky”. So, when it came time to decide on a major, I chose Social Work because it could eventually lead me to a career as a therapist.

By the time I graduated college in 2000, I was 8 months pregnant with our second child and had decided to put my career on the backburner while focusing my attention on our growing family. As our family grew and we were knee-deep in diapers, playdates, school and church volunteering, and a years-long home remodel, I noticed I had lost a sense of personal identity and needed to put on my metaphorical “oxygen mask” so I could be more present for my family. 

In 2008, with the encouragement of my therapist and with Shawn’s support, I began doing theater again. I felt like I had rediscovered myself. In the years that followed, performing became a boon not only for me, but for our entire family. We created countless memories watching each other shine in various theatrical or musical endeavors. Some of my favorite theater memories include watching my children perform in the Heatherwood Middle School musicals, where I worked as a Director alongside many Mill Creek families to bring theater into our community.

Additionally, when I started seasonal work as a Dickens Caroler in 2009, our family began building yearly Christmas traditions around my performances on the Argosy Christmas Ship, in Seattle public parks, and at the Woodland Park Zoo. During this time, though I was fortunate enough to be living out my dream of performing professionally both as a singer with The Dickens Carolers and as an actor with StoryBook Theater, I always knew one day I would return to my calling as a therapist. Even my work as a performer and director often pulled me in that direction.

The time came in early 2020, when the world had to take a collective pause as we all struggled to navigate the new realities ushered in by the COVID pandemic. The performing arts screeched to a halt. The pre-existing mental health crisis hit critical mass when it combined with the circumstances caused by the pandemic. We were all isolated and faced with a level of uncertainty most of us had never experienced. Personal, marital, and family issues that had long gone undetected or unaddressed because of the busyness of our lives, were now impossible to ignore. The pain being felt throughout the world was palpable and I wanted to be part of the healing process.

Consequently, I started my Master’s program at The University of Washington in 2021 and graduated with my MSW in 2022. I’m now working as a therapist at Healing and Restoration Counseling, a small group practice here in Mill Creek. I love being able to walk alongside my clients on their journey and am continually in awe of their strength, courage, and vulnerability. It is a profound honor to witness.

I am eternally grateful for the detour I took into performing because it reminded me that to best support others, I need to be filling my own cup as well. As I prepare for another season as a part-time Dickens Caroler, I cherish the fact I can witness hope and healing through human connection while performing and facilitating therapy.