about kirsty

 I started experiencing mental health challenges in childhood. Anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, and depression were a constant part of my adolescence into my early thirties. For years, I was trapped in cycles of pushing myself to catch up and fit in, only to crash and burn out. Traditional approaches like talk therapy and medication helped in some ways, but never fully reached the core of what I was experiencing, and I continued to internalise the story that I was broken.

 Trying to live and function from a chronically stressed state, with my body carrying the burden of unresolved trauma over the years, my health declined, leading to chronic illness. I reached a point where I couldn’t work, socialise, or even care for myself. That period of deep loss forced me to slow down in a way I never had before. It was painful, confronting, and also a turning point in understanding the patterns my mind and body had developed to survive over the years.

 I began exploring mind-body practices and somatic approaches, which offered me something I hadn’t experienced before: moments of safety, softness, and a deeper connection to my own experience. Over time, they helped me navigate my symptoms with more compassion, giving me glimpses and breakthroughs of functioning from a place of presence and steadiness rather than survival. Learning about my neurodivergence added another layer of insight, helping me understand and accommodate the needs of my nervous system.

 I don’t share my story as someone who has it all figured out or who lives without challenges, I’m human. I share it because it’s the foundation of why I do this work: I know what it’s like to feel lost in survival and old stories, and I also know what’s possible when you meet yourself with curiosity, gentleness, and find the tools that honour your whole system.