Meraki Healing Center, PLLC

Someone gave ME the keys to my own business??! Lord help us all!

I officially present to you, Meraki Healing Center, PLLC. The culmination of a lifetime, literally and figuratively. Meraki is Greek, meaning (in my own words) to leave a little piece of yourself – a piece of your soul – in everything you do or create. It’s a word that’s meant a lot to me for a long time – I knew it’d be significant, it would be used for something, someday. To have it be the name of my new trauma therapy practice – a practice that has been built through lottssssss of sweat and mostly tears (no blood ~yet! knock on wood!!~) is the most fitting. *It’s also a sweet full circle way to pay homage to “Grandpa Greek”, the person who made it all possible*. Little fun fact: back in 2019 when I decided to go to grad school, a dear family friend made a “Meraki” sign for me, and on the back she wrote: “Congrats for making your leap of faith. Now, trust the process”. That sign is now hanging in the waiting room of my very own private practice 🙂 I leave a little piece of myself in each and every client I work with – and have ever worked with. And each time, a part of me is illuminated, or strengthened, or stitched back together in some way. This journey with these survivors has been the most transformative and delicate I’ve embarked on, and it’s hard to believe it’s only the very beginning. I can’t wait to see what it looks like years down the line – who I am, what my business is, where my clients are.

Let me be real honest with you all. I have never been so scared in my life to do something as I am to do this. It’s funny, because in a lot of ways not a whole lot is changing; in other ways, so much is. (PS – maybe remind me I’m supposedly an adult and need to be doing my books!) As I look back on the last couple of months, I can see how the main things that were holding me back from taking the leap all came down to fear: fear that I will fail, fear that I am not good enough (ready enough; smart enough; experienced enough), fear that I’m doing something that will lead to harm. But what I can (now) realize is that these fears are not solely based on present truth. They’re my brain trying to protect me, keep me safe. They’re the result of the type of thinking that – albeit in a backwards way – allowed me to excel in many other ventures throughout my life. The perfectionist in me is fueled by them! And I am so grateful. I feel a hell of a lot of compassion for those parts of me who are just trying to avoid pain. But I am not her anymore. Not just her, anyway. If I was, Meraki HC would actually never get off the ground.

I know I don’t feel ready (it seems I won’t ever feel ready?!); I think this is a superpower that will forever keep me learning, keep me invested in the most up-to-date research that will allow me to be the most competent trauma therapist I can be. I know I was scared to leave the support I had; this is what fuels – and has always fueled – my desire to continue seeking the smartest in the field to learn from and alongside. Today, I am the most experienced I have ever been; next month I’ll be even more so. Anything new is terrifying; we don’t have a blueprint for what to expect, so our brain will automatically tell us !danger! no matter whether it is or not. There’s never the “perfect time” to leave the nest. It’s time for me to put my preach into practice, and trust myself enough to listen to what my gut (read: intuition; soul; deepest core self 🥲) knows. It’s time for me to trust the process.

I am extremely fortunate to get to embark on a journey like this, pouring my soul into what I do and who I work with. I try to not take it for granted; I know I am a damn lucky girl to get to live out a passion and make it my own. I so very carefully hold onto the honor and privilege of partnering with the brave individuals who decide to step into the hard work of trauma therapy. It is not for the faint of heart, let me tell ya. But it is perhaps the greatest gift I could ever be a part of, watching my clients come back home to themselves. I hope I never grow tired of witnessing the profound shifts that occur when the conditions for healing actually enable true recovery to occur. It is magic, and it is transformative, and it is at the heart of what we’re all about. It’s truly at the heart of what this world needs right now.

If the only thing I ever do is leave a piece of my soul in everything I do or create, I know I will look back on this life and consider it well-lived. I plan on living a very long, very full life, and for every ounce that’s poured out of me, I thank the people in my circle who help replenish me in endless ways. I couldn’t be here without you all.

Here’s to the next chapter, folks! I have so, so many big dreams and lofty goals for the future of Meraki HC, and I can’t wait to bring you alongside me. Thank you for being here! Sending you so much love!

-Cassidy Gallegos, MA, LPC

Owner (eek!) & Clinical Trauma Therapist, Meraki Healing Center