On trauma-informed leadership, values-aligned growth, and creating systems of care that don’t ask people to fragment themselves.
Tell us about your journey. What led you to this point?
My journey sits at the intersection of lived experience, clinical work, and a deep awareness of how systems often fail the very people they’re meant to serve. I came into social work and became a trauma therapist not because I wanted a title, but because I had lived through trauma, loss, and moments where I had to navigate survival while still showing up for life’s milestones and professional responsibilities. Over time, I saw how traditional models of care often overlooked complexity, culture, spirituality, and power dynamics, particularly for high-functioning individuals expected to keep going without support. Founding Willow Medela Wellness LLC was a response to that gap. I wanted to build a practice where evidence-based care could coexist with narrative, somatic, and meaning-centered work, and where clients didn’t have to fragment parts of themselves to be taken seriously.
What has been your biggest achievement?
Building a sustainable, values-aligned practice that centers ethical care without sacrificing depth or accessibility. That includes supporting clients through complex trauma while also contributing to education, research, and broader conversations about mental health and leadership. On a personal level, continuing to grow this work while navigating my own healing, doctoral studies, and business leadership feels like an achievement rooted in integrity rather than hustle.
What’s the biggest result you help your clients achieve?
I help clients reclaim authorship of their lives and leadership of their decisions. That often looks like reduced trauma symptoms, stronger boundaries, and improved emotional regulation, but the deeper result is agency. Clients move from feeling trapped by their past or by systems to feeling grounded, choiceful, and able to make clear decisions aligned with their values. For many, it’s the first time their full story is honored rather than minimized.
What would be your biggest piece of advice for readers who want to achieve the same?
Build from alignment, not urgency. Whether you’re growing a business, leading a team, or navigating personal healing, clarity about your values will take you further than chasing validation or speed. Sustainable success comes from building capacity, not just momentum, and from making decisions that support your nervous system, your relationships, and your long-term goals.
What are the biggest mistakes you see people make, and how can they be avoided?
One common mistake is trying to bypass discomfort instead of understanding it. People often look for quick fixes without addressing underlying patterns, power dynamics, or unresolved grief, especially in fast-paced professional environments. Another is building businesses or careers that replicate burnout culture. Both can be avoided by slowing down enough to listen to your body, your boundaries, and the feedback your work and relationships are already giving you.
How do you plan on further growing your business?
Growth for me is about depth and reach, not just scale. That includes expanding education and training, contributing to research, collaborating across disciplines, and developing offerings that support ethical, trauma-informed leadership. I’m intentional about growth that enhances quality, sustainability, and long-term impact rather than diluting the work.
Where can the readers find you?
Readers can visit www.willowmedelawellness.com or contact me at info@willowmedelawellness.com. I’m active on LinkedIn and across social platforms, and all links can be found at https://linktr.ee/WillowMedelaWellness
