Building a life together as a same-sex couple

Alex H.

My partner and I have been together for decades, and over that time we’ve lived through many of the dynamics that long-term same-sex couples face: mismatched expectations, evolving ideas of monogamy, different levels of comfort around openness and vulnerability. Our early years were rocky, marked by uncertainty and growth at different paces. But over time, trust took root. Not everything became easy or perfectly aligned, but we learned how to stay in the work — how to stay curious, and to keep showing up for each other even when we didn’t always agree. We’ve also moved through big life questions that don’t always come with a map — like what commitment should look like when no one handed you a script, or how to make decisions about marriage when it wasn’t always legally available, or emotionally accessible. We’ve had conversations about having kids, and wrestled with what it would take — practically, financially, emotionally — to pursue that path. While we didn’t become parents, the process of facing those questions still shaped how we saw ourselves as a couple, and clarified what we were building together. We didn’t land where we are through certainty — but through conversation, through friction, and through letting the relationship evolve without needing it to resemble anyone else’s. If you’re trying to navigate your own version of partnership, wherever you are in the process, I’d be glad to talk.

Your healing journey of learning how to embrace and prioritize self-care

Alexandra H.

Hi, I’m a highly sensitive wife, daughter, friend, and person. Therefore, I know what it’s like to be highly sensitive in the context of relationships. My triggers require me to spend a good chunk of private time with myself to encourage myself with positive self-talk, journaling reflection, and poetry. I have been on a healing journey from trauma for years and am on an active codependency recovery journey currently. I have lived experience with Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Psychosis, and Bipolar Disorder. My mental health challenges have given me patience and empathy to care for those who are healing for the long haul. I have a heart to care for those who don’t feel like they have it all together and a desire to embrace others in their emotional state. I also have a heart for those who are resilient but are tired of being resilient on their own and simply just want to receive emotional and relational support. Come as you are to receive support. Your sensitivity is welcome here. This is your time to be accepted right here right now.

Trauma experienced by parents

Alice H.

My experience with trauma has changed my life and without recovery, I wouldn’t be the same person that I am today. I learned through my experiences that they don’t define me, and I am much more than my wounds. The specific experiences I’ve gone through include codependency with a codependent mother, narcissistic abuse by a narcissistic father, bullying by misunderstood siblings and people at grade and high school, and physical abuse. With these events, I have learned how to become strong, and I am not afraid to discuss in detail the goals you might have to overcome your personal traumas. Reach out to me today.

Overcoming addiction and breaking free from unhealthy relationships

Andrea B.

When I was in my mid-20s, I found myself in a relationship where my partner hid their marijuana use from me. At first, I didn’t know how to react, but eventually, I was convinced to try it. What started as casual use quickly became an everyday habit before work, during breaks, and after. It was a cycle I didn’t know how to break. I realized how much it was controlling my life, making me feel disconnected and anxious, while keeping me from engaging with my friends and family in a meaningful way. I knew something had to change. So, in 2023, I ended the relationship and decided to stop using marijuana. At first, it was hard, but within a month, I felt a major shift. I became more productive, less anxious, and found myself truly present again. I’ve also had my share of struggles with toxic relationships verbal and physical abuse, unhealthy patterns that broke my self-worth. Therapy helped me regain my confidence, and it was through these painful experiences that I learned the importance of setting boundaries and finding support.

Grieving the loss of a family member

Angelia P.

I’ve had quite a few losses in my life. The first one began with my grandmother and the more recent one was my mother. The loss of a family is always pretty challenging especially when others cannot relate. The first time I lost a loved one happened to be my grandmother that cared and raised me. She took me in as I was her own. She supported me and loved me through everything. She was my safe haven. She was all I knew. She was blessed to live until 88 years of age; however in my mind I thought she would live forever. The hardest part for me was knowing she passed away all alone. I wondered to myself how she must’ve felt knowing she was about to die and no one was there. The worst for me is that her reason of death is unknown. The after process of planning for her funeral and burial felt like numbing task. It felt surreal. I couldn’t seem to shed a tear. In my mind it was all a dream and my grandmother would wake up. I now realized through therapy and counselling that I was disassociating. After several months of her passing was when reality hit me. I thought to myself; wow is she really gone? I would remember all the good times we had and my favourite memory of all was when she would cook me my favourite meals whenever I was upset. The first year was the hardest. I would stay in bed for hours. I would avoid going out at all costs. I couldn’t even care for my kids the way I wanted to. I felt hopeless! One day I felt the need to pray. I thought to mylsef, my children need me. How could I give up on them? What should I do? As I prayed I felt so much peace. This gave me the strength to face my reality and realize I needed professional help. I sought out therapy and counselling. I was able to be paired with some of the best therapist that helped me understand that I fell into a deep depression and the tools I needed to overcome so that I may succeed in all areas of my life. This decision also led me to work at a mental health clinic where I received so much insight and tools. If you are experiencing a loss, you are not alone! I am very honoured and grateful to be able to share what I’ve learned and how I managed to come out of one of the most darkest moments of my life. I am optimistic that it can help you overcome what you’re currently going through while providing you insight.

Navigating grief after losing a parent

Anya Y.

When I was 15, my father passed away. We had a complicated relationship, so grieving him didn’t look like what most people expect. It was messy and confusing, and I often felt isolated because people only seemed to support me for the first few months. Years later, my mother passed when I was 32, and the loss hit me in a totally different way. I learned firsthand that grief has no timeline and no one-size-fits-all path. Through therapy, self-reflection, and a lot of trial and error, I found ways to honor my feelings without forcing myself into anyone else's idea of "healing." Now, I help others who are grieving — especially those whose relationships with the deceased were complicated — find their own permission to grieve authentically. You don’t have to fit into a neat box to move through your loss, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Healing after a breakup that shook your whole world

Artem K.

I fell in love for the first time at 29, after spending 13 years in a relationship that I now realize wasn’t truly love. When that new relationship ended, it hit me harder than I ever could’ve imagined—my body physically reacted with uncontrollable shaking and spasms. It felt like the pain had seeped into every corner of my being. We broke up twice, and each time I found myself caught in a spiral of obsession, insecurity, and self-doubt. But eventually, something shifted. I realized I had to choose myself if I ever wanted to feel whole again. I went inward, examining my patterns, my wounds, and the ways I was abandoning myself in relationships. Through deep inner work, I reclaimed my power, found purpose, and transformed heartbreak into one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. Now, as a licensed coach, I help others move through these dark moments toward clarity, resilience, and genuine emotional freedom.

Single parenting from a healed place

Ashley F.

Hello! I’m a visually impaired single mom who’s been raising my son on my own since day one, and I know firsthand how overwhelming—and rewarding—that journey can be. When my husband left during my pregnancy, I was devastated. But leaning on my faith in God, the love of my family, and the strength I discovered in small everyday victories helped me keep going. My parents always believed in me and supported me through public school, and that encouragement laid the foundation for who I am today. I’m currently working toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor because I want to walk alongside others in their hardest seasons. I’ve battled clinical depression and PTSD, and I’ve come out stronger, more compassionate, and deeply committed to helping others feel seen, heard, and supported. If you’re navigating single parenthood, trauma, or just need someone to talk to who truly understands, I’m here—and I can’t wait to connect.

Getting sober after your marriage ended because of addiction

Benjamin H.

I’ve struggled with substances most of my life. It started with a prescription for Adderall when I was a kid, then escalated through high school and college—marijuana, cocaine, opiates. I got married and tried to pull things together, but the truth is, I developed an addiction to opiates during that time. Toward the end of our 11-year marriage, my wife confronted me about it. I wasn’t willing to stop, and that choice ultimately ended the relationship. That loss forced me to take a hard look at my life. I checked myself into detox and rehab, and something finally shifted. After a brutal first month of withdrawal, I felt clear for the first time in years. I started using therapy seriously, leaned on the people who believed in me, and began rebuilding. Now I’m back in school, working toward a counseling license so I can support others who are walking a similar path. If you’re sitting with the grief and guilt of losing someone because of your addiction, I’ve been there—and I’d be glad to talk with you.

Overcoming drug use and rebuilding trust with family

Beth B.

I started using marijuana in middle school, and it quickly escalated to harder drugs like cocaine and LSD. By my senior year of high school, I realized I was on a path that could end my life. It wasn’t until I found faith that I was able to turn things around. I moved away, got out of the toxic environment, and surrounded myself with people who supported my recovery. While navigating school and life’s challenges, I still felt the weight of trauma, including the loss of my mom to cancer and raising my nephew. But through all of this, I remained focused on building a better life. After getting my degree, I found my passion for helping others who were going through similar struggles, creating a safe space for girls and working with people in recovery. The hardest moment came when my marriage ended after I discovered my husband’s drug abuse and the abuse of my children. I realized then that I couldn’t keep going back to toxic cycles, and I chose to focus on my children and my healing. Today, I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on, staying sober, and helping others do the same.

Overcoming difficult relationships with family, alcohol and drugs

Calvin A.

Growing up in foster care taught me early on what it felt like to struggle with connection, trust, and stability. As I got older, I faced rocky relationships that took a serious mental and physical toll, some so toxic that I had to relocate just to start fresh. For a long time, I coped with the pain by turning to alcohol and drugs, using them to escape the reality I didn’t know how to face. It wasn’t until my life became completely unmanageable that I realized I needed help. Through treatment and self-help, I learned to recognize my triggers and build healthier coping skills. Those same lessons about self-worth and resilience helped me start setting strong boundaries — first with myself, and then with others. Co-parenting after a difficult separation taught me even more about putting my child's needs first, even when it meant facing my fears of the court system. I’ve also navigated complicated friendships, tough conversations, and even the challenge of reconnecting with family through ancestry research. Through it all, I’ve learned that healing is possible, and I'm here to support others who are ready to find their own path forward.

Healing after the sudden loss of a long-term partner

Charlen M.

Two years ago, I lost my partner of 33 years—suddenly and without warning. After spending over three decades building a life together, the absence was staggering. I’d been through amicable divorces before, but nothing prepares you for this kind of void. I remember feeling like I was floating outside of myself—managing the logistics while inside I was crumbling. The quiet was loud, and the smallest things would undo me. As a therapist for 30 years, I had all the tools, but living through it? That’s another story. I leaned heavily on my daughters and close friends, and eventually, the fog began to lift. What helped most was honoring my grief without letting it define me—finding comfort in routine, giving myself permission to laugh again, and talking to others who’d been through something similar. I joined Fello because I know how lonely this road can be, and I want to be the kind of support I wish I’d had at the beginning.

Breakups, grief, and finding peace in chaos

Christina S.

I’ve been through a lot when it comes to love, loss, and the complicated relationships that shape us. From watching my parents’ divorce reshape my childhood to losing a boyfriend in college to addiction, I’ve had to learn how to heal without shutting down. That journey led me to therapy, which helped me redefine boundaries and understand what healthy love looks like. I've also had to take an honest look at other relationships in my life—especially with my dad—and decide what I needed to step away from in order to grow. I've cut back on drinking, built a life I love in NYC, and found joy again through friendships, movement, and self-reflection. If you’re navigating heartbreak, rethinking your past, or simply feeling lost, I’d love to hold space for you. Whether it’s a bad breakup, family issues, or you're just tired of pretending everything's okay—I’ve been there, and I promise you’re not alone.

Navigating the challenges of special needs parenting and co-parenting through separation

Christine I.

I’ve been through a lot when it comes to parenting—raising four children, two of whom were adopted with special needs. My journey started with a very traditional upbringing, where gender roles were strictly defined. I married young and, over time, found myself taking on more of the responsibility for our children’s care, including advocating for them when they needed extra support. Unfortunately, this led to a growing disconnect between my ex and me, and we eventually separated. But through open communication and a focus on co-parenting, we’ve managed to create a positive environment for our children. Raising adopted kids, especially those with trauma, has been incredibly challenging. My son, Anthony, has severe ADHD, a history of substance exposure, and a head injury, which makes his needs complex. My daughter, Juliette, has autism, which added layers to our parenting experience. I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed and isolated, especially when you're trying to navigate the systems and support your children in ways others may not fully understand. But through it all, I’ve learned resilience. I’ve become a mentor for other parents dealing with similar struggles, whether it's understanding special education laws or finding ways to make sure their children are heard and supported. I’ve realized that advocating for my children, even through the hardest times, has made me stronger—and I want to help others do the same.

Infidelity because healing isn’t always black and white

Christine D.

Infidelity has a way of flipping your world upside down. Whether you’ve been cheated on, were the one who stepped outside the relationship, or you’re caught in a situation that doesn’t fit neatly into a label. It’s painful, disorienting, and deeply human. What people don’t always say is that betrayal doesn’t just break trust it shatters identity. You question everything. What was real? Was it me? Am I broken? How did we get here? And if you were the one who crossed the line, the shame can be paralyzing. The story gets flattened: good vs. bad, victim vs. villain. But real life is messier than that. I’ve witnessed and experienced the ripple effects of infidelity in ways that cracked me open. It forced me to confront uncomfortable truths not just about relationships, but about unmet needs, unspoken pain, and the parts of ourselves we try to hide. If you’re navigating the aftermath of infidelity, you don’t need a quick fix or moral lecture. You need space to feel what you feel. To ask hard questions. To be honest. And to begin rebuilding whatever that looks like for you.

Staying sober when weed and alcohol were your escape

Christopher D.

For most of my adult life, alcohol and weed were how I coped. I started drinking in my early 20s and didn’t really face the consequences until my 30s—by then, I had lost jobs, been arrested, and damaged some really important relationships. Weed felt like a comfort, but eventually, I realized I was just numbing my life away. Getting sober hasn’t been a straight line for me—I’ve had multiple stretches of sobriety, but this current one has lasted over five years. I’ve tried different tools along the way, including therapy, 12 Steps, SMART Recovery, and rehab. What really helped was learning how to become my own best friend. Today, I continue to use support groups and counseling to stay grounded. I’ve also helped people close to me get into recovery themselves—taking them to treatment, helping them find meetings, and staying in their corner while they got clean. If you’re struggling with sobriety or just figuring out where to begin, I’m here to talk it through with no judgment.

Rebuilding trust and strength after a toxic relationship

Clara C.

When I first got together with my current partner, it wasn’t easy. He was divorced, and navigating the emotions and interference from his ex-wife almost tore us apart early on. After we married, his true colors started to show—he drank more, became mean, and stopped being affectionate while still demanding all the attention. I found myself constantly censoring what I said to avoid setting off his anger. It took time, but I learned how to set clear boundaries and protect my kindness without losing myself. I gave him space when needed and focused on communication rooted in love rather than fear. Over time, he took real steps to work on his anger and accountability, and we slowly rebuilt our trust. Through it all, I realized how important it is to advocate for yourself and to stay true to your worth. Now, I want to be there for anyone who is trying to heal from a toxic relationship and find hope again.

Navigating your various relationships in a healthy way

Daneeta S.

I have had to learn to navigate different relationships throughout the years, including familial, work, friend and romantic relationships. Through my experience, along with my training as a life coach with a concentration in relationships, I have come to find that there are a number of aspects that contribute to the health and wellbeing of a relationship. I am here to assist with those aspects, including setting and upholding boundaries, healthy communication, showing care, expressing your desires for care and love, dealing with conflict in relationships, and even breakups. Whatever the case may be, I'm here to help and support you in navigating your relationships.

Rebuilding relationships after conflict

Darius C.

A few years ago, I had a close friend I’d known for four years, and a misunderstanding between us led to silence for three months. It hurt. But I also believed our friendship still had value. So, I took the first step and reached out. We talked through what happened, shared our perspectives, and slowly started to rebuild. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. That experience taught me that relationships can be transitional and still be worth repairing—if both people are willing to show up with honesty and accountability. I also center my work around supporting the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities because I know how layered and nuanced our experiences can be. If you're going through a tough time in a relationship—romantic, platonic, or family-related—let’s talk it out.

Navigating divorce and finding yourself again

Heather R.

I spent 17 years in a marriage that was far from easy. My husband struggled with mental health challenges, and although we tried counseling and made efforts to hold it together, infidelity and emotional distance slowly broke us apart. We separated in the fall of 2019, and like so many, the pandemic complicated everything. He moved back into the house during COVID, which made the separation feel even more tangled. Through all of it, I had to stay steady for my two children, who felt the weight of every shift and change. It wasn’t always graceful — some days were just about surviving the emotions, mine and theirs. But over time, I began to rediscover myself, figure out what I truly want in a relationship, and create a new version of happiness for my family. Now, I’ve found love again, and more importantly, I’ve found peace within myself.