I grew up in Kenya, where the idea of having a therapist was not common. Instead, healing often came through community. Neighbors, relatives, and friends stepped in to help raise children, share burdens, and support one another during difficult times. From a young age, I learned that people rarely face life alone when a strong community surrounds them.

When my family moved to the United States, I was still young. Adjusting to the new environment came easily to me, but I saw how challenging the transition was for my parents. They were learning a new culture, navigating a new job market, and trying to build stability while raising three children far from the support system they once relied on. In Kenya, help was always nearby. In the United States, many of those supporters were no longer there.

I remember watching my mother carry the weight of these changes while doing everything she could to care for our family. During some of the most difficult times, the kindness and support of others made a meaningful difference in her life. Those moments stayed with me and showed me how powerful it can be when someone simply listens, supports, and walks beside you through challenges.

Because of these experiences, helping others is deeply personal to me. I want to create the kind of supportive space that many people need but do not always have. Becoming a therapist allows me to combine empathy, understanding, and guidance to support individuals as they navigate their own struggles. Just as the community once helped my family, I hope to be a source of support and healing for others.