Hi, I’m Stephanie McLeod-Estevez

In my work, it’s a blessing to meet incredible women who are at a crucial crossroad in their lives. This crossroad might come from a breast cancer diagnosis, unhealthy relationship experiences, perfectionism, or deep loss that has them questioning who they are.

On the outside, the world around them sees them as capable and strong. On the inside, they’re reckoning with the emotional pain that comes from feeling like all they can do is survive, not thrive. This is exquisitely painful. And yet, deep within is an ember of belief that they are capable of feeling better and more whole.

In our work together, we untangle the emotional web that has kept my clients feeling trapped. By loosening up the internal tension, we examine the core beliefs that restrict my clients from being their authentic selves. We use art therapy to deeply listen to the stories that must be told to find relief from the pain and nurture the skills they need to feel liberated and alive. 

My greatest hope is for everyone to realize that with the right kind of guidance and support, they can live more boldly than they ever thought possible. This brings forth a deep reservoir of faith that not only benefits everyone’s life, but also the lives of everyone around them.

Since 2004, I’ve honed my craft of supporting clients through times of adversity with dignity and grace. It’s a blessing to partner with clients as they courageously embrace what they’ve needed to grow. It’s an honor to have held space for the transformation that comes into their lives. 

I obtained my Master of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.  In 2016, I opened Creative Transformations, my cancer-focused emotional healing business. My work and clinical skills are informed by the diversity in the clients I’ve served. I am profoundly grateful for all that my clients have taught me and the work that we’ve done together.

In so many ways, this moment felt like a twisted version of fate. It was the death of my mother that inspired me to become an art therapist. Art therapy became my key to healing after she died. Now, I trusted that art therapy would save my life once again.

What could have felt like a curse became a blessing. Through art therapy, I found reverence for my pain and discovered my glorious light.

I got right to work. I assessed the impact of cancer on my body, mind, spirit, and self. I pulled together a healing team to address the physical impact of cancer. Then, I created a method for using art therapy to address the mental, emotional, spiritual, and identity needs that I had. Art therapy became the vehicle for telling the story of what I’d been through in order to validate, understand, and find the meaning and closure I deserved.

I believe that every life experience gives us the opportunity to heal and grow. As a therapist, my breast cancer experience served to deepen the work that I do. When you blend your lived experience with your gifts, what you can offer to yourself and others becomes exponentially more powerful.

What I learned from breast cancer is that my life and health are not guaranteed. I had to work through the intense pressure that stems from facing your mortality, to release my desire for control and focus on where I could influence my health and wellness.

I’m a firm believer that when you focus on having influence in your life, you can navigate any challenge that comes your way. This means…

• you’re taking opportunities to grow and heal, so that you feel liberated rather than held hostage by painful memories and difficult or traumatic experiences.
• you examine and re-work outdated core beliefs that hold you back from embracing the beautiful person you are and the gifts you have to share with your loved ones and for the greater good of all.
• you celebrate working through, not avoiding or suppressing, painful thoughts and feelings, because on the other side of that you realize you are so much stronger and resilient than you ever realized.

This isn’t about perfection. In fact, a life well-lived is often messy and complicated, full of highs and lows. It’s a life built upon how you tell the story and how it reflects what you’ve gained from your setbacks, suffering, and personal work. 

The first step towards a life well-lived? Being curious. It’s how you’ll live radiantly.

Warmly,

Stephanie