Hey! It’s so good to meet you!!
It means so much to me that you’ve clicked here to learn more about me and ROAR!
I’m Ellen, a trauma therapist and creator. I’m here to help folks un-fuck our relationships with ourselves, others, and the collective so that we can live our richest, fullest, most meaningful lives. This usually means:
unlearning a lot,
re-integrating healthier ways of relating,
grieving and accepting,
befriending emotions, especially shame,
and saying yes to our biggest, boldest, happiest selves.
My work explores healing at the intersections of mental health, creativity, and spirituality. I get just as excited about a healing ritual as I do about the latest evidence-based modalities. I won’t judge you for connecting to your ancestors, nor will I insist that adjusting your vibration is the only way to heal.
Healing can look so many different ways, and I love helping folks find the healing that works for them!
How does this Community help folks heal?
Each week I send either a mini (sometimes not so mini) essay or podcast episode, reflection questions, and a suggested Tarot spread focused on healing relationship trauma. Transformation happens in these ways:
Self: Weekly reflection questions and Tarot spreads to help you self-reflect, leading to greater self-awareness and self-compassion. I write practical, focused self-help guides on topics like How To Feel Your Feelings, burnout, and setting boundaries.
Others: Through commenting on posts (which all subscribers can do), you can experiment with vulnerability and receiving feedback, essential skills for healthy relationships. My writing will help you better understanding dynamics in your relationships, attachment styles, and unhelpful relational patterns, like people-pleasing and codependency.
The Collective: I share reminders and analysis about how systemic oppression shows up in our lives and what we can do about it. We’ll commiserate and share ideas on how to overcome oppressive systems like capitalism and sexism, and their mechanisms for operating in our lives, like ageist urgency and imposter syndrome.
What folks love about the ROAR:
It’s an added bonus to my current therapy. Being a part of a group where we were all there to grow and learn things is really good for me. It helps me remember it's not just me. I'm not the only one struggling with this.
—Krissy
It got me thinking about what wellness means outside of physical wellness…I’m paying more attention to what kind of routine I want to develop for my own health.
—Daphne
I find myself going to the community instead of facebook. It's just a more positive space.
—Angela
It’s been nice having a dedicated space that is just focused on healing and self-awareness. Instagram and TikTok accounts are maybe doing that, but it's in the midst of all the other crap.
—violet
ROAR Values
These values inform my work:
anti-oppressive: I challenge systems of oppression within myself, the health and wellness industry, and my business.
trauma-informed: Resources and services are designed to support traumatized brains.
science-y: I use science-backed tools, like psychoeducation, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and mindfulness.
spiritual: I welcome any religious/spiritual backgrounds, and I use spiritual tools like Tarot, astrology, and ritual.
empathy: Taking on others’ perspectives to fuel non-judgemental and validating exploration.
integrity: My words align with my actions.
healthy relationship: There’s clear definition of where I end and where you begin. Our connection feels warms and supportive.
embodied: Support for bringing our bodies into our healing.
sex-positive: Everyone who wants it deserves great sex!
If you’re consistently physically located in Maryland, USA, I have a few openings for individual therapy.
Why subscribe?
Subscribers get immediate access to Your Healing Not-Good-Enoughness Ritual Planner. This planner will take you step-by-step through crafting your own beautiful ritual to help you heal not-good-enoughness, all the way from the big idea magic through to the logistical, practical details. There’s a fillable PDF for the folks who love a keyboard, and a mostly black & white version for the pen & paper people. And you can process, integrate, and share about your ritual, here:
You’ll also get an email (or notification if you use the Substack app) every time I post, which will help you stay on track with your healing in between therapy sessions, yoga classes, sound baths, and whatever other healing practices you’re into.
Be part of a community of people who are also finding our fierce. The themes we explore here can be tough to bring up in other relationships where you might not know how others will react. Or maybe you don’t want to weigh others down with these heavy thoughts. Here, we get it & we’re ready to support you.
This community is a safer space for reflections, questions, hurts, and celebrations. I love to hear your thoughts in the comments section!
Support the ROAR Community with a Paid Subscription
ROAR makes healing community and high-quality mental health resources more accessible. Your support gives me time and mental and emotional space to focus on creating these resources.
Paid subscribers get access to about two paywalled posts each month and occasional special events.
You’ll also get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you’re helping spread healing information and ideas far and wide.
A bit about me
I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains in Pennsylvania, and I've wandered through cities across the US. Now Baltimore City is home.
My pronouns are she/her. I'm a cis, white, bi, able-bodied, middle-class woman.
I'm a Taurus sun, Scorpio moon and rising. My favorite Tarot card is the Queen of Wands.
I’m always searching for outlets for creativity. Currently I’m:
doing DIY renovations on my 100 year old row home
exploring crafty projects: painting, textile art, crochet
I love spending time with friends, my siblings, my partner, and my cat, Squirtle.
Lovely things folks have said about working with me:
Working with Ellen is like sitting on a comfy couch with hot tea in your hand, looking out the window at the storms of life. She is a safe place to process and question when life seems wild. She is a sounding board, a thought provoker, and a growth encourager.
-TR, one-on-one service participant
Ellen's voice and manner are so soothing! Ellen strikes a good balance between educated and earthy.
–AG, workshop and one-on-one service participant
I appreciate how kind, warm, and inviting you were. I definitely felt safe and heard.
–workshop participant
Ellen creates a super warm and inviting space. The session felt like it was a collaboration with friends to create an intentional space instead of a webinar of strangers.
–SK, workshop participant
Ellen is an encouraging, affirming presence who creates a safe space for vulnerability and honesty. I appreciate the gentle but skillful way she set expectations for the conversation and kept the workshop to time.
–KGM, Healing Not-Good-Enoughness: a ritual participant
Thank you so much for holding ritual space for “Healing Not-Good-Enoughness…Our group ritual was so magical with nature speaking to us through the wind, leaves, and roiling clouds. I had such powerful sensations when relating to the elements…You are the perfect person to hold that space, and I’m incredibly grateful I got the chance to experience your work.
–LWB, Healing Not-Good-Enoughness: a ritual participant
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