About Darkness & Recovery: A Note from the Founder

Journey from Struggle to Strength

Welcome to Darkness & Recovery. This is a space for honest reflection, research-informed insights, and stories about mental health recovery, trauma, and self-compassion.

I write from lived experience, as a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, someone navigating high-functioning mental illness, and a person living with depression, anxiety, and long-term survival mode. I know what it’s like to feel both visible and unseen, and this blog is dedicated to exploring the complexities of recovery in real, nuanced ways.

Alongside my personal journey, I hold a master’s in forensic psychology and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. I have experience conducting and supporting advanced research. This background enriches the perspectives I share, blending evidence-based insights with lived experience to provide a thoughtful and reflective approach to mental health topics.

Here, you’ll find essays, reflections, and feature stories that explore resilience, coping strategies, trauma recovery, and self-compassion. I also highlight experiences from other individuals in recovery, sharing diverse perspectives that can inspire, educate, and validate your own journey.

Whether you’re living with mental illness, healing from trauma, or supporting someone on their recovery path, Darkness & Recovery is here to offer understanding, reflection, and guidance, combining lived and learned knowledge.

Through the darkness, I’m here to support your recovery every step of the way.