My story of becoming a licensed mental health therapist is also deeply rooted in my own experiences of surviving trauma. As a child, I faced the challenges of my father’s alcoholism and the violence that came with it, which shaped my early understanding of fear, trauma and resilience. I later became an indirect survivor of the Bali terrorist attack, where I volunteered at the local hospital to help establish and manage a triage center for victims, survivors, and their families. This experience profoundly shaped my understanding of the fragility of life. Years later, living through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I joined an International Women’s Volunteer Group to help rebuild a grandmother’s home that had been destroyed in the flood. These times taught me powerful lessons about loss, displacement, and the strength of community in healing.

Surviving Intimate Partner Violence, as well as the tragic loss of my brother, who took his own life, and the heart-wrenching experience of holding my mother’s hand as she took her last breath, have been the most profound and transformative moments of my life. These experiences have not only driven me to become a licensed mental health therapist but also equipped me with a unique empathy and understanding that I bring to my clients. My history is crucial to my success as a therapist because it allows me to connect with my clients on a deeper level, offering them not just professional guidance but also compassion and the lived experience of navigating profound pain, loss, and healing. I was propelled into a profound understanding of grief, trauma, and the complexities of the human spirit. These events not only changed the course of my life but also fueled my desire to help others navigate their own emotional and mental health challenges.

I chose to become a licensed mental health therapist because I wanted to make a real difference in the lives of those struggling with their mental well-being. To remind them that they are not alone and that they matter. As a survivor, I’ve walked the path of healing myself, and I know firsthand the power of compassionate and empathetic guidance and the importance of having someone who truly listens and understands with an open heart. My practice, Everall Wellness, was born out of this mission to provide a safe and nurturing space where you can heal, grow, and reclaim your joy, power, well-being, love and purpose.

Through my books, personal story telling, private therapy sessions, group work, webinars, podcasts, events, guided meditations, self-directed online mastery programs, and speaking engagements, I aim to make mental health resources more accessible and relatable for everyone. My book series, "The Spiritual Warrior Guide to Healing," shares the tools and wisdom I've gathered from my journey, offering practical steps to healing with my proprietary system of P.E.M.S.™ 4 Pillar Therapeutic Wellness System for Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual wellness, four interconnected aspects of a person's overall wellbeing helping you find a path back to oneself. In addition, my guided meditations are crafted to provide moments of inner peace, clarity, joy, and connection for those feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges. With my public speaking and YouTube Channel - @carmenscounsellingcollective, I strive to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and inspire you to embrace your healing journey with courage, strength, conviction and hope.

The impact I aim to create is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, loved, and supported. I envision a world where mental health care is not just about treatment, but about empowering individuals to live their most authentic, purposeful, loving and fulfilled lives.

Learn more about, “What is a Spiritual Warrior?”