DePaul Annual Report 25-26

Finding Her Safe Space Story by Alison Wickline-Burns | Photos by Cadijha Wilson

2017 was a hard year for Daniela and her family. She was adjusting to life with the two sons she adopted, learning to parent children with special needs, and facing a mari tal separation. Her work schedule had changed and her connection to family and friends felt fragile. She needed help, so she reached out to DePaul. “Everything I knew started shifting and changing for me,” said Daniela. “I knew that my children needed me and that I needed a consistent avenue to becoming mentally and emotionally healthy. I did not want to lose hope; I wanted to thrive.” Since 2017, Daniela has attended regular therapy sessions with Kim through DePaul’s Counseling Services Program. The sessions have challenged her and changed her. “I know that when I’m feeling great, disappointed, over whelmed, underappreciated, confident, and all the things, I have a space with DePaul that is safe and nonjudgmental where I can be my true self,” said Daniela. “I can smile or cry, and I’ve learned that I can do hard things. Counseling is my space.”

Daniela says therapy has made a positive impact on her whole family. It has helped her navigate coparenting, a new relationship, and another adoption. “We are a close-knit family still learning new things and growing,” said Daniela. “The last few years with its challenges has proven to us that we are in this together and we are better when we work together.” Daniela is proud of her courage in seeking help and proud of her commitment and consistency to keep showing up for herself and her family. She sings the praises of DePaul’s Counseling Services Program and encourages others in similar situations to consider the life-changing impacts of therapy. “I know counseling pulled out the characteristics in me that I had disqualified and doubted,” said Daniela. “We all wear so many hats and titles and get pulled and have an expectation to meet all kinds of demands and needs as caretakers. We owe it to ourselves and those we love, work with, and live with to be healthy.”

“I know that when I’m feeling great, disappointed, overwhelmed, underappreciated, confident, and all the things, I have a space with DePaul that is safe and nonjudgmental where I can be my true self.”

— DANIELA

10 | depaulcr.org/annualreport

10 | depaulcr.org/annualreport