The Story Behind Hold My Hope
It all began with a box.
When I was 15 years old, I started the hope box. It was (and still is) a small wooden box I would use to store my deepest desires. When I was in the midst of despair or in the trenches of my depression, I would write down on a brightly colored sticky note what I was longing for. I would fold it up, put it in the box, and trust that it would come to pass at some point down the road.
Most of it came to fruition. A lot of it didn't. But when I looked back at what I had really wanted, it made more sense as to why it didn't work out a certain way. What's ahead, has always been in my case, better than what's been left behind.
I started doing this exercise with my clients when I first became a therapist. I'd have them write down what they want out of therapy (more so- what they wanted for themselves, their lives, their healing). Even if they couldn't see anything beyond their current situation, I would ask them to be curious for a moment about what's in store and write about that.
My offer was simple: I'll hold this for you. I'll believe in this for you until you feel capable of believing in it for yourself. Throughout our lifetime, we encounter moments when hope may wane, when the challenges of life become overwhelming, and when we struggle to see a brighter future. In these times, a therapist steps forward as a guiding presence, holding that hope on behalf of their clients until they are ready to reclaim it themselves. I firmly believe in the power of believing in someone before they believe in themselves, and strive to be the beacon of light that encourages the spark of hope that still resides within each individual.
As individuals regain their strength and resilience, they are able to carry their hope once again, drawing from their own inner reserves. But the journey doesn't end there. Part of the beauty of being human lies in our interconnectedness. We have the capacity to hold not only our own hope but also the hope of others when they find themselves in need. It is a cyclical process of support, compassion, and encouragement, where we hold space for one another, nurturing the seeds of hope that reside within us all.
Because that's what's happened for me- time and time again- I carry my hope, and others, and ask for support in doing so when it feels too heavy, unrealistic, or far away.
At Hold My Hope, we see the deep roots that connect us all, recognizing the inherent beauty and strength in each person. We embrace the belief that hope is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, and through our therapeutic work, we strive to inspire, empower, and facilitate the journey of reclaiming and sharing hope—ultimately fostering a world where hope flourishes, and all individuals can thrive.
Together, we hold the torch of hope, illuminating the paths of those we encounter, creating a ripple effect of positivity and resilience that extends far beyond the walls of our therapy practice.
