Maria Sullivan

LCSW

I remember a very specific afternoon in 8th grade. The bell rang and I scurried outside to make my way home. I looked up at these large, defined, white-grey clouds in the sky, and the sun was peeking through - just enough to feel warm. I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and froze suddenly. At that moment I was thinking about my family and the challenges they had been going through; I had a realization about the impact that others' pain and suffering had on me. Leading up to this moment, I had increasingly become more aware of and engulfed in, the pain that others around me were experiencing. I felt people around me yearning for a way to feel better and feel connected... to heal. So, I decided that I wanted to become someone who helps people (and in turn help myself) feel seen/heard, supported, and cared for. You are not alone. Together, we heal.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a book I have read numerous times because it was impossible to put down - it impacted me a lot. I felt a huge sense of urgency to approach my life and work with the utmost gratitude and appreciation for what I have, rather than focusing on what I think I don't have. I also learned about the true strength within each of us and when we can harness that, find it and bring it to light, we can accomplish our goals and desires.

I believe the best way to stay personally fulfilled as well as supportive of others, is to be my most authentic self, portraying honesty and transparency at all times. I see people as equals, and in the therapy space, we are just that. I will continue to uphold my role of fostering positive connections and hold a safe space for people to heal and learn.