The Question That Started It All
If I could go back and tell 16-year-old Liv, “You’re going to be okay,” she wouldn’t have believed me. Back then, I didn’t have the tools for emotional regulation. I thought “staying positive” was the cure, and I spent my early 20s buried in self-help books, searching for the answer to one gnawing question:
“How do I actually love myself and be happy?”
Curiosity and Self-Compassion
It took becoming a therapist, and a client myself, to realize that the answer wasn’t in a book. It was in two specific shifts:
Curiosity: The drive to explore the unknown parts of our story without judgment.
Self-Compassion: Acknowledging your pain and failures with kindness instead of criticism. (As Dr. Kristin Neff teaches, it’s about treating yourself like a friend rather than a project to be fixed.)
Embodying these didn’t happen overnight. In fact, I’ve grown more in the last two years than in the decade prior. Going to therapy to care for the parts of myself impacted by past pain is exactly what allows me to show up for you as a therapist who is genuine, engaged, and deeply human.
Holding Multiple Truths
In my practice, I lean into the “And.” One of the most freeing things you can learn is that multiple, conflicting emotions can exist at the exact same time:
You can feel angry at how your parents showed up for you AND love them because they are family.
You can feel guilty for “not doing enough” AND feel proud of how much you’ve accomplished.
You can feel anxious about what you can’t control AND feel calm knowing you are resilient enough to figure it out.
Why This Practice Exists
Liv Curiously Therapy is a reflection of my own mental health journey. It’s proof that when we start being curious about our patterns, the self-criticism and doubt finally start to quiet. Whether you are ready to dive in or just need a little inspiration from afar, welcome. I’m glad you’re here
