12/13/2024
Presenting - Heather-Leigh as our December featured practitioner!
Here are her answers to our questions!
What does Pagan-Affirming mean to you?
Thank you for asking! Definitions change and mature over time. Right now, "Pagan-Affirming" means holding space and respect for the beautiful diversity of each person's identity, life experience, connection, convictions, s*xuality, sensuality, and spirituality as they choose to share. It is honouring the inner authority of an individual's narrative. From the social work perspective, it also involves recognizing systemic and implicit biases to meet people where they are in their life journeys.
What clients do you enjoy working with the most? What is the work you're most passionate about?
Currently, as a StorieBrook associate, I work with adults, primarily in the overlap of Kink, LGBTQIA+, and consensual non monogamous (CNM) populations. Even though there is a massive experience overlap in my client base, each has their own narrative, strengths and therapeutic goals. I enjoy watching my clients grow and change, stretching into their own inner authority. I also am a certified InterPlay leader, facilitating sessions for all ages that are focused on reclaiming the human birthright practices of story, song, and dance. As a trained performer myself, I appreciate the gift of honouring body wisdom in conjunction with therapy. While I tend to favour Somatic modalities, I am happily eclectic in my practice and will use tools from IFS, DBT, CBT and any other modality that will serve my client. My favourite therapeutic moment is when clients are able to reclaim their own voice and power. I'm also ridiculously excited when we come up with "unorthodox" (creative) homework assignments in session to fill a client's need. Play is a vital part of the human experience. I get to incorporate that in my daily workday. I am also a Life scout, and working with teenagers and kids is invigorating in a way that I can't fully articulate, especially when their perspectives are so refreshingly frank.
What book are you reading right now?
My TBR list is long. Thankfully for my budget, my library card and I are in a long-term relationship which usually involves late night browsing and the eventual need to walk into the hold section with a basket. I just finished "Greymist Fair" by Francesca Zappia, which leapt into my cart off a librarian's recommendation shelf. It was a quick Samhain read in a style and story reminiscent of of Piers' Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series structure with a touch of Terry Prachett's irreverent tone. Amanda Gorman's collection of Poems "Call Us What We Carry" has been haunting me for the last few weeks, and I have also been delving into a variety of children's books about resilience and change as part of my monthly InterPlay sessions at the local library. Podcasts? I'm always working on learning Dutch, which can get a little difficult when I don't hear it around me here in Georgia, so "Een Beetje Nederlands" and "Leer Nederlands" are constant companions on long drives to get me familiar with the cadence and flow. "S*xology" and "Who Did What Now?" are also prominent in my Audible library. Inspiration comes in a number of ways, so I try to stay open to experience - moving and choreographing to music, noticing a particularly breathtaking sunrise while enjoying a dirty chai, experiencing an artistic performance, learning from my colleagues and reading something new. Sometimes, experiences that make me realize I am brave - like navigating an unfamiliar subway system solo with a phone on 3% battery- inspire me to the memory and awareness of my resilience.
Heather-Leigh's favorite quote:
Of all the words in all the languages in all the world... "Timshel." It is a Hebrew word that translates to "thou mayest." I have it tattooed on my wrist to remind me of my inner authority. I am the one who gives myself permission. Not "you can." Not "you must." You May. If I were to switch to a different language, I would probably choose "Ik ben genoeg" (I am enough) which resonates in a similar way.
Heather-Leigh's most important identities currently:
In no particular order, since the priorities are always shifting and we all contain multitudes: Mother. Lover. Anam Cara. Dancer. Choreographer. Director. Teacher. Writer. Artist. Traveller. Scholar. Seeker of Knowledge. Advocate. Therapist. Keeper of Stories. Invisibly disabled. Intentionally brave. My name is Heather-Leigh, and my pronouns are her/she.
What inspired you to join your profession/therapeutic path?
I have long joked that I have the indelible word "confidant" stamped on my forehead for everyone else to see. Over the years, and in varied communities, many felt safe enough with me to share their true selves in conversation. I have been honoured and humbled by the trust inherent in that willing vulnerability. Their stories are all a part of me, and I am obligated to approach that responsibility with a deepening of my own knowledge base to bring my best self to witness. Also, pragmatically, it had been 20 years since I earned my BA in "Production and Performance," and it was going to be easier to re-enter the workforce as a new Master's graduate then it would be to enter after being a stay at home parent for two decades. I was also fortunate enough to have a Mentor who believed in me and wanted to co-create something amazing. I am extremely proud of StorieBrook and excited to be able to serve my communities as a therapist.
We're so excited to welcome Heather-Leigh to PATH!
We hope to feature you here soon!
