Ahlay: Singer-Songwriter, Song Leader, Artist, USA

Trust, especially rooted in my upbringing and childhood, has been difficult.

My journey with Tanya has been a continual, revelatory experience. Each session, I arrive with whatever parts of me are present, and she meets me with such deep nonjudgment and tenderness. That alone is a profound welcome, one that softens places that have long been afraid of being seen.

She is both deeply attuned and gentle, with a way of being fully present without trying to control, steer, or interpret my internal experience. She meets each moment with genuine curiosity, authentic engagement, and real interest, allowing my own inner knowing to unfold in its own timing. There is a felt sense of safety in her presence that has been rare for me.

Trust, especially rooted in my upbringing and childhood, has been difficult. Working with “professionals” in mental health spaces has often left me feeling pathologized rather than understood. In contrast, working with Tanya has supported me in bringing parts of myself home that were long forgotten, abandoned, or neglected.

Her way of being has helped restore a sense of dignity and belonging within myself, particularly in places shaped by trauma. There is a depth of gratitude I feel that is difficult to put into words, especially given how much tenderness and care has been required to meet a childhood shaped by so much wounding.