Healing in the Heart of the South: My Journey as a Therapist in Alabama
It’s a funny thing to be both a guide and a fellow traveler on the healing journey. As a therapist in Alabama, I’ve sat across from many brave souls seeking clarity, peace, and connection, but what I know deep in my bones is this: most of us enter this profession as wounded healers.
We come not because we’ve mastered the art of living, but because we’ve wrestled with our own pain and found something on the other side worth sharing. For me, that “something” has come through three powerful sources: faith, therapy, and relationships.
1. My Faith: The Foundation Beneath the Struggle
My healing began—and continues—with my faith. It’s been the thread that runs through every part of my life: as a Christian, a wife, a mother, a friend, and a therapist.
There is deep research that supports the role of spirituality in mental health, and I can attest to that firsthand. Believing in a Higher Power who is good and loving has helped me loosen my grip on the illusion of control. Most things in life, I’ve learned, are simply not mine to hold.
The Serenity Prayer has become my compass, especially in the chaos:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.”
My faith doesn’t shield me from pain, but it offers a light in the dark. It reminds me that suffering is a part of life, but not the whole story. That even in sorrow, there is hope. Even when things feel broken, healing is still possible.
2. My Own Therapy: Loosening the Grip on Right and Wrong
Sitting in the client chair has been one of the most life-giving experiences of my adult life. Therapy invited me to look closely at the beliefs I picked up long ago—many without even realizing it. These beliefs shaped how I moved through the world, especially in my relationships.
One of the greatest gifts therapy gave me was the ability to let go. To soften the black-and-white thinking that told me everything had to be right or wrong, good or bad, fixed or failed. I began to live in the gray—where curiosity lives, where questions are okay, where connection grows.
My work in therapy, paired with my faith, gave me permission to not always have the answers. And the more I allowed myself to wonder and explore—rather than perform or control—the more intimacy and freedom I found with the people I love.
3. Relationships: My Greatest Teachers
Healing isn’t something that happens in isolation. For me, relationships have been some of my greatest teachers.
Whether it’s sitting across from a couple in my counseling room or having a heart-to-heart with one of my daughters, I am reminded daily that love is the context in which we heal. But love, real love, isn’t always easy.
I’ve watched clients teeter on the edge of disconnection—one harsh word away from shutting down. And yet, when we slow down together, when I model curiosity instead of reactivity, something sacred happens. A husband softens. A wife stays present. They begin to understand themselves—and each other—in new ways.
And if I’m honest, my most personal work has been as a mom. My daughters stretch me in ways no one else can. I can get defensive. I can avoid hard conversations. But the same skills I practice with my clients—listening, staying curious, creating space—are the ones I try (sometimes imperfectly) to bring home. Because I want more than anything for my girls to feel seen, safe, and free to be themselves with me.
Staying Open on the Journey
This road hasn’t been straight. Some paths have been steep and lonely. Others have surprised me with joy and ease. But through it all, I return to the same posture: open, curious, and hopeful.
Faith has anchored me. Therapy has shaped me. And my relationships have refined me.
As a therapist in Alabama, it’s my greatest honor to walk with others through their own seasons of growth and healing. Not because I have it all figured out—but because I know what it feels like to be in the middle of the mess, longing for something more.
Ready to Honor Your Own Healing Journey?
If you find yourself in a season of reflection, transition, or pain—and you're searching for meaning, connection, or a safe space to explore what’s next—we want you to know: you don’t have to walk this path alone.
At Sparrow Counseling, we understand that healing isn’t linear and growth takes time. Our team of compassionate, experienced therapists is here to support you, whether you're wrestling with your past, navigating present challenges, or dreaming about what’s ahead. To get started, follow these three simple steps:
Reach out to Sparrow Counseling for a free 15-minute consultation.
Be matched with a caring, experienced therapist.
Let’s begin your journey toward healing—right here in the heart of the South.
Other Services Offered at Sparrow Counseling
At Sparrow Counseling, we offer in-person and online therapy in the state of Alabama. In addition to couples counseling, our team specializes in family therapy, couples intensives, marriage counseling, discernment counseling, coparenting counseling, and more in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more by checking out our FAQs and Blog!
