A Personal Journey That Led to SAFER

In 2002, I emerged from a profound period of depression—an inner reckoning that altered the trajectory of my life. It was in that season of darkness that I began to recognize the invisible threads connecting emotional pain, relational disconnection, and the way we are wired to cope. That insight became a turning point, one that propelled me to pursue a Master’s in Counselling and establish a private practice in 2013 dedicated to guiding individuals, couples, and families through their own journeys of healing.

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of walking with people from all walks of life—children and teenagers wrestling with identity, adults navigating emotional wounds, couples longing for reconnection. Though their stories were unique, one truth echoed across them all: early relational experiences shape the emotional blueprint we carry into adulthood.

This realization led me to the transformative framework of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)—a powerful integration of brain science, attachment theory, and psychology. IPNB reveals how our brain architecture is shaped by relational experiences, particularly in the formative years. When those early attachments are marked by instability, neglect, or chaos, the brain adapts—creating protective patterns that can later hinder connection, communication, and emotional regulation.

But insight alone is not enough. What brings profound hope is the science of Neuroplasticity—our brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself. With the right environment, intentional awareness, and relational safety, even deeply embedded patterns can shift. We are not destined to repeat what we’ve known; we are capable of transformation.

As I continue my doctoral research in psychology, focusing on adult relationships and behaviors, I see more clearly than ever: what we experience in childhood does not stay in childhood. It follows us—into our marriages, our workplaces, our parenting, and the way we see ourselves.

This evolving understanding gave rise to SAFER—the School of Awareness for Engagement in Relationships. SAFER was created to help individuals uncover and heal the patterns that silently shape their lives, and to offer evidence-based pathways to build safer, stronger, more connected relationships—both personally and professionally.

Whether you're a parent, a partner, a professional, or a person simply seeking to understand yourself more deeply, SAFER is a space where transformation begins—with science, with soul, and with self-awareness.