Reflecting on my journey to becoming a therapist, I recall pivotal moments in my life that led me to pursue education in counselling psychology. I spent my teenage years volunteering with children in my community through local programs and youth groups. Here I began to learn and experience the uniqueness that each individual holds. In my youth, I also had access to various therapeutic supports in my area, ranging from government-funded services through OHIP to group therapeutic experiences offered by local specialists and hospitals. This aided my exploration into varying therapeutic supports and further highlighted my realization that mental health supports are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the importance of building therapeutic supports to be person-centered and created in collaboration with the person involved.This continued as I pursued my undergraduate degree, allowing me to work with diverse demographics and communities through local YMCA programs that provided support to children and youth from all socio economic backgrounds. During this time, I learned more about the various challenges and experiences people face, and realized that hardship and difficult times can affect individuals of all ages, abilities, and situations. This continued my exploration and learning about individuals experiences, fueling my desire to continue helping and making a positive impact on others. During my undergraduate degree, I was able to pursue education in both psychology and Indigenous studies. This is where I began to learn more about trauma and its impacts while also incorporating holistic perspectives and teachings. As I gained the opportunity to work with a variety of individuals from all walks of life, I realized the importance of highlighting the unique strengths individuals possess, as well as the importance of empowerment and support in aiding a persons mental health or healing journey. This sparked my commitment to continued learning about trauma and mental health advocacy.Fast forward to my Master’s education in Counselling Psychology, where I learned about various theories, tools, and skills that can be applied to therapeutic work with individuals. Ultimately, what led me to pursue this educational journey was realizing that as individuals, we all hold experiences and situations that challenge us. At the same time, I also believe that each of us has the strengths and skills to heal and overcome challenges. My role is to help identify the strengths you already possess and empower individuals to create healing and positive change. This can be achieved by creating a space that is calm and safe, where your voice can be heard and compassion and empathy are at the forefront of the work.