Welcome to a Space Where the Whole Story Matters

Welcome, and thank you for being here.

Whether you are a fellow clinician, a medical professional, a caregiver, or someone navigating the complex realities of epilepsy, PNES, FND, chronic illness, or mental health, this space was created with intention for reflection, education, and connection.

My name is Brittany, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with a clinical focus on the intersection of neurology, mental health, identity, and the mind–body connection. I work primarily with individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizure-related conditions, trauma, anxiety, and life transitions, using a systemic, compassionate, and culturally responsive lens.

This blog exists because too often, the emotional and relational realities of neurological conditions are minimized, misunderstood, or siloed away from mental health care. Here, I hope to help bridge that gap.

The Work I Do — and Why It Matters to Me

As a medical family therapist, I am trained to look beyond symptoms and diagnoses and instead ask:
How does this experience live in the body, the family system, the relationships, and the story someone tells about themselves?

My clinical interests include:

• The psychological and relational impact of epilepsy and seizure disorders

• PNES and FND, approached through a trauma-informed and non-stigmatizing framework

• The mind–body connection and nervous system regulation

• Anxiety, trauma, and identity-related stress

• Healing through culturally affirming and systems-based care

I believe deeply that mental health does not exist in isolation from the body, culture, or lived experience. Healing happens when all of those parts are acknowledged and honored.

Epilepsy Reach: The Catalyst for Specialization

While my academic and clinical training laid the foundation, it was my work with The Epilepsy Reach Foundationthat profoundly shaped my path and clarified my purpose.

Through my role with Epilepsy Reach, I have had the privilege of working alongside individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, advocates, and leading neurologists. I have witnessed firsthand how epilepsy affects not only seizure activity, but also identity, relationships, employment, self-worth, and mental health.

I have also seen how often individuals feel unseen—told to focus solely on seizure control while quietly struggling with fear, grief, depression, trauma, or isolation.

That gap is where my passion lives.

Epilepsy Reach was the catalyst that moved my interest from general mental health care to specialized, integrated work that recognizes epilepsy and seizure-related conditions as whole-person experiences. It reinforced my commitment to advocacy, education, and the belief that mental health care should be accessible, informed, and deeply human.

Why I Started This Blog

I started this blog because there is a need for spaces that speak honestly and respectfully about:

• The emotional weight of living with epilepsy and chronic neurological conditions

• PNES and FND without shame, dismissal, or oversimplification

• The role of trauma, stress, and systemic inequities in health

• Healing as a Black woman, both personally and professionally, within systems that have not always been safe or affirming

This blog is not therapy, and it is not meant to replace professional care. Instead, it is a space for education, reflection, and conversation, where clinical knowledge and lived experience can coexist ethically.

For professionals, my hope is that this blog offers insight, language, and perspective that supports more integrated and compassionate care. For potential clients, my hope is that it helps you feel less alone and more understood before you ever step into a therapy room.

The Human Behind the Credentials

While my work is grounded in training and ethics, I also believe that healing happens in relationship, and relationships require humanity.

Outside of my professional roles, I am someone who values creativity, reflection, and advocacy. I find grounding in writing, crafting, and baking, and I believe deeply in the power of rest, spirituality, and storytelling as tools for resilience. These parts of me inform how I show up, not as an expert above others, but as a clinician who understands that life is complex and healing is not linear.

I bring both professionalism and compassion into my work, holding space for nuance, culture, and the many layers that make each person’s story unique.

What You Can Expect Moving Forward

In future posts, you will find:

• Educational reflections on epilepsy, PNES, FND, and mental health

• Discussions on the mind–body connection and nervous system healing

• Conversations about identity, resilience, and healing within marginalized communities

• Thoughtful content for both clinicians and individuals seeking understanding

My hope is that this blog becomes a resource, a point of connection, and a reminder that mental health care can—and should—honor the whole person.

Thank you for being here. I look forward to sharing this space with you.

A Dedication

This blog is dedicated first to Kendra Johnson-Hunte, Executive Director of Epilepsy Reach Foundation, whose leadership, vision, and advocacy for the epilepsy community helped create the space for this work to grow.

It is also dedicated to my former clinic director and now colleague, and a close friend, both whose belief in me and encouragement toward this specialization served as a powerful catalyst in my professional journey.

Most importantly, this space is dedicated to the warriors who have entrusted me with their stories so far. Your courage, vulnerability, and resilience continue to shape my work, my advocacy, and my commitment to doing this work with integrity and care.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and reflective purposes only and does not constitute therapy or medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a therapeutic relationship.