Why I Started Haven

MY STORY + PHILOSOPHY

A Breaking Point

Two days before my next shift at the children’s hospital, I found myself sobbing on the couch, curled around my dog while my husband held my hand. I was completely depleted—heartbroken, exhausted, and dreading the day ahead. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t hold one more family’s grief. I couldn’t shoulder another eight hours of other people’s pain.

My doctor had told me six months earlier that I needed to leave my job as a pediatric trauma chaplain. “It’s killing you,” she said.

And she was right.

I had nothing left to give. I had become a husk of myself—another minister who burned out, another caregiver on antidepressants, another soul whose heart had been shattered by compassion fatigue.

In that season, even my faith—once my deepest source of steadiness—felt unreachable. I didn’t lose it entirely, but it was strained, frayed around the edges. The hope I used to offer others felt distant and dim.

“I was grieving more than just a career. I was grieving who I thought I was.”

Slowly, I Began to Heal

Recovery took time—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I remember the first morning I realized my baseline emotion was happiness. Not a burst of joy or a rare moment of relief—just a quiet, steady contentment. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt that way.

That return to steadiness didn’t come from any one thing. But it was deeply shaped by my home. Time in a calm, safe space—with my loving husband, our cuddly dog, and the ability to rest—was foundational.

Creating a Calming Space

I wanted our home to be as peaceful and nourishing as possible. So I became focused—maybe a little obsessed.

When I needed distraction from intrusive memories, I read articles on interior design and minimalist living. When I couldn’t sleep, I researched sleep hygiene and Feng Shui for bedrooms (spoiler: there’s a lot of overlap—and a lot of it is grounded in practical psychology). What had been a deep personal passion for over a decade turned into a way to cope, which became something more: a genuine love for creating environments that support well-being.

I brought home houseplants—over thirty of them—each one chosen with intention: air purification, symbolic meaning, or a life lesson I was learning. I started painting. I made jewelry. I even figured out how to organize all the art supplies.

From Healing to Helping

Eventually, friends and family began asking for help. First it was “Can you help me rearrange the living room?” Then it was: closets, kitchens, playrooms, primary bedrooms.

They wanted more than just design advice. They wanted support. They wanted to talk—about overwhelm, family dynamics, caregiving fatigue, or why it felt so hard to donate that one item tucked in the back of the closet.

We talked about how to make a bedroom feel like an oasis when the dog (or the kids) climb into bed every night—or when there’s a TV that keeps you up later than you meant to. Real life is messy. And most people aren’t starting from a blank slate—they’re starting from a mix of habits, memories, and emotional weight. That’s where the real work begins.

“Sometimes we just stood in the middle of a room and figured out what to do with the pile that had been sitting there for six months.”

Again and again, people said: You should start your own business.

And eventually, I did.

The Heart Behind Haven

Haven Home Consulting was born out of that season. I knew what it felt like to come home to a space that supported healing—and I knew too many people who were coming home to clutter, chaos, or rooms that didn’t reflect who they really were.

My philosophy is simple:

Everyone deserves a home that feels supportive. A home that makes it easier to rest, to grow, to connect, and to recover from the hard things life brings.

That belief became the foundation of Haven’s mission:

Our mission is to create spaces where families thrive—physically, relationally, and spiritually—by providing beautiful, safe, and uplifting environments that foster well-being and connection.

And it’s guided by a clear vision:

To lead the way in curating spaces that empower families to flourish—creating a world where love, beauty, and growth are at the heart of every home.

Because our homes hold our stories. They witness our heartbreak, our healing, and everything in between. When they are aligned with who we are and what we need, they become one of the most powerful tools we have for feeling safe, steady, and supported.

More Than Design

At Haven, I offer an inclusive, holistic blend of interior design and grounded support. My work isn’t about aesthetics alone (though yes, your space will look beautiful). It’s about cultivating environments that are aligned with your values, your season of life, and your hopes for the future.

This work isn’t spiritual in a traditional sense—but it is deeply human—and, for me, it’s an expression of healing that lives alongside my faith.

“Interior design alone doesn’t make a home feel supportive. But design grounded in care, clarity, and compassion? That’s what transforms a house into a haven.”

And that’s what I want for you. Not just a prettier space—but a steadier life, a gentler rhythm, and a home that helps you heal, grow, and feel more like yourself again.

Because when your home supports you, everything else feels a little more possible.

✨ “Your home has a story, and I’d love to hear it. You can connect with me on Instagram [@havenhomeconsulting]—your experiences might even inspire a future Haven article.