| "In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between them, there are doors.” ~William Blake My beloved community, I'm writing with some big news to share so I'm going to just get right to it. I will be closing my therapy practice at the end of July. While this was one of the most difficult decisions I've made in my career, it feels aligned with what I need in this moment in my life. It's difficult to adequately express what being a therapist has meant to me. I have been humbled and inspired. My heart has been broken open. I have discovered new depths of empathy and compassion and love. My clients' stories have been forever carved into my heart. When you tell people you're leaving or ending something, inevitably the first question asked is "what's next??" This is understandable--and yet, how often do we let ourselves linger in the in between? There will be new things to share in their time. For now, I'm choosing to stay with this ending--to give it some space and give it its due. I think life feels richer and more meaningful when I let myself linger in the liminal spaces--that potent time between what was and what will become--when I savor an ending by making room for the myriad of thoughts and emotions that swirl around me before rushing off to the next thing. I don't yet know how this change will impact my emails and various social media accounts. Stay tuned and you can always unsubscribe if this morphs into something that no longer feels relevant. For now, Instagram continues to be the place where I'm most active. I hope you're all managing to keep yourselves afloat during this extended period of uncertainty. Sending you all lots of care, fara P.S. If you scroll down, you'll find: writing about endings and liminal space; updates on my services for massage therapists; and some anti-racism resources. P.P.S. Speaking of massage therapists, I'm sure by now you have heard the name Elijah McClain and know about his tragic death. He was a young massage therapist with a whole life ahead of him. If not, you can learn more about his story here and find multiple ways to help his family seek justice here . If you haven't read his story yet, know that it is truly horrific. Read it when you're ready. Let your heart break for him. Take care of yourself after. And then-- take action in his name . faratuckerlcsw.com poetry about transitions and liminal space Transitions are challenging, but also rich opportunities for exploration and discovery. Here are a few poems I wrote overthe past year that explore the in between spaces: sea legs two poems written about and from within the liminal space zip line let it breathe And here's one from of my favorite poets, David Whyte: Just Beyond Yourself blog post: the intimacy of goodbye As I've been moving through the different stages of saying goodbye to clients, I found it helpful to revisit this older post of mine about the intimacy of saying goodbye . for massage therapists My long-running ethics of therapeutic presence workshop has been on hold since April when East West College temporarily closed due to coronavirus. My intention is to continue my ethics CE for massage therapists , although there is still some uncertainty about the how and the when. I will include updates about CE offerings in future emails, but you can also check my website or FB business page . Lastly, while I am no longer offering therapy services, I am still available for professional consultation for LMTs about the therapeutic relationship (currently video appointments only). anti-racism & activist resources We are at a pivotal moment in history. Many people are waking up to the history and ongoing reality of racial injustice in this country for the first time. Many of those who were already awake to it are finding themselves with a renewed commitment, and increased energy and effort to participate in concrete and sustained ways. I am not an anti-racism expert by any stretch of the imagination. I have, however, been calling myself in to higher levels of action and accountability, and finding ways to integrate anti-racism into my daily life--for the forseeable future. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but here are some people I've personally been learning from: Rachel Cargle Ijeoma Oluo Sonya Renee Taylor Leesa Renee Hall I'm almost done with Leesa's Renee Hall's Inner Field Trip™: Helping Those With Gentle, Quiet, and Highly Sensitive Personalities Explore Unconscious Biases So They Protect Their Energy, Stand on the Side of Justice, and Become Better Ancestors . It's been valuable and eye-opening. I highly recommend this Brene' Brown's interview with Ibram. X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist. If you are on this path as well, you know that there is an abundance of information to wade through. My suggestion is to start somewhere rather than wait until you figure out the perfect*, best*, or right* way to begin. *This doesn't exist and is a trap because it will keep you stuck. (Click image below for the full poem.) |
"In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between them, there are doors.” ~William Blake | |
My beloved community,
I'm writing with some big news to share so I'm going to just get right to it.
I will be closing my therapy practice at the end of July.
While this was one of the most difficult decisions I've made in my career, it feels aligned with what I need in this moment in my life.
It's difficult to adequately express what being a therapist has meant to me. I have been humbled and inspired. My heart has been broken open. I have discovered new depths of empathy and compassion and love. My clients' stories have been forever carved into my heart.
When you tell people you're leaving or ending something, inevitably the first question asked is "what's next??" This is understandable--and yet, how often do we let ourselves linger in the in between?
There will be new things to share in their time. For now, I'm choosing to stay with this ending--to give it some space and give it its due. I think life feels richer and more meaningful when I let myself linger in the liminal spaces--that potent time between what was and what will become--when I savor an ending by making room for the myriad of thoughts and emotions that swirl around me before rushing off to the next thing.
I don't yet know how this change will impact my emails and various social media accounts. Stay tuned and you can always unsubscribe if this morphs into something that no longer feels relevant. For now, Instagram continues to be the place where I'm most active.
I hope you're all managing to keep yourselves afloat during this extended period of uncertainty.
Sending you all lots of care,
fara
P.S. If you scroll down, you'll find: writing about endings and liminal space; updates on my services for massage therapists; and some anti-racism resources.
P.P.S. Speaking of massage therapists, I'm sure by now you have heard the name Elijah McClain and know about his tragic death. He was a young massage therapist with a whole life ahead of him. If not, you can learn more about his story here and find multiple ways to help his family seek justice here.
If you haven't read his story yet, know that it is truly horrific. Read it when you're ready. Let your heart break for him. Take care of yourself after. And then--take action in his name.
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poetry about transitions and liminal space | |
blog post: the intimacy of goodbye | |
As I've been moving through the different stages of saying goodbye to clients, I found it helpful to revisit this older post of mine about the intimacy of saying goodbye.
| |
My long-running ethics of therapeutic presence workshop has been on hold since April when East West College temporarily closed due to coronavirus. My intention is to continue my ethics CE for massage therapists, although there is still some uncertainty about the how and the when.
I will include updates about CE offerings in future emails, but you can also check my website or FB business page.
Lastly, while I am no longer offering therapy services, I am still available for professional consultation for LMTs about the therapeutic relationship (currently video appointments only).
| |
anti-racism & activist resources | |
We are at a pivotal moment in history. Many people are waking up to the history and ongoing reality of racial injustice in this country for the first time. Many of those who were already awake to it are finding themselves with a renewed commitment, and increased energy and effort to participate in concrete and sustained ways.
I am not an anti-racism expert by any stretch of the imagination. I have, however, been calling myself in to higher levels of action and accountability, and finding ways to integrate anti-racism into my daily life--for the forseeable future.
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but here are some people I've personally been learning from:
Rachel Cargle
Ijeoma Oluo
Sonya Renee Taylor
Leesa Renee Hall
I'm almost done with Leesa's Renee Hall's Inner Field Trip™: Helping Those With Gentle, Quiet, and Highly Sensitive Personalities Explore Unconscious Biases So They Protect Their Energy, Stand on the Side of Justice, and Become Better Ancestors. It's been valuable and eye-opening.
I highly recommend this Brene' Brown's interview with Ibram. X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist.
If you are on this path as well, you know that there is an abundance of information to wade through. My suggestion is to start somewhere rather than wait until you figure out the perfect*, best*, or right* way to begin.
*This doesn't exist and is a trap because it will keep you stuck.
(Click image below for the full poem.)
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