I vividly remember the day I stuffed six of my journals into a bag, drove to Starbucks, ordered a latte, and settled into one of those oversized chairs by the fireplace—back when Starbucks invited you to stay awhile. Even now, I feel a pull of nostalgia for those long, unhurried hours in a warm, cozy café. One by one, I pulled the journals out, each holding a piece of the past seven years. Many tears—and two more lattes—later, I sat there emotionally drained, my eyes aching, my body heavy....

Why stabilization, safety, and compassion come before transformation When writing memoir, prescriptive nonfiction, or personal essays, there’s a common recommendation: write from the scar, not the wound. In other words, don’t tell the story while you’re still raw and bleeding—while it’s actively unfolding. Tell it once you’ve moved through it when there is perspective and integration. This idea often makes me think about healing. I see clients and friends moving through their healing journeys...

While my most intense healing journey has been happening over the last 10 years, I have received counselling from my early 20s on. I...