Two things to know about me:

1. I’m a lifelong performer.

As a kid and teenager, I trained professionally at Boston Ballet and José Mateo Ballet Theatre. I quickly moved into singing and acting, graduating with a B.A. in theatre studies from Emerson College. I worked alongside some of the top dancers and choreographers in the industry and even landed a few roles in Hollywood feature films and commercials. Now, I bring elements of my theatre days to the Self-Care Cabaret!

2. Education is my passion.

I received a master’s of education in school counseling from Salem State University and have spent over 15 years as a licensed K-12 counselor and special education administrator. My degree had a psychology emphasis, which I’ve channeled into working with students who’ve experienced trauma and face mental health challenges. Nothing beats those lightbulb moments when someone gets it.

Yet one throughline connected these experiences. My self-care plummeted.

Looking around, I saw my former and current colleagues facing the same challenges. Those of us in helping professions are eager to support and care for others. But sometimes, we struggle with putting our self-care and well-being first.

As a trauma survivor and individual in eating disorder recovery, I recognized it was all the more critical to build and deepen a self-care practice. Drs. Deepak Chopra, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Wayne Dyer first broadened my understanding of self-care. I followed up with receiving credentials in mental health first aid, crisis prevention intervention, and Reiki Levels I and II certifications. My curiosity led me to pursue doctoral-level coursework in self-care and renewal for educators and other helping professionals. I graduated with my PhD in educational leadership from Lesley University.

Since then, I’ve presented to groups, businesses, and organizations of all sizes. The impact is transformative. Prioritizing self-care and well-being — and committing to daily intentions of reflection, recovery, renewal, and resilience — does help us helpers become happier, healthier, more productive humans.

In helping ourselves, I believe we can pass along these skills to the communities we serve, too.