Hey friends, fam, colleagues, and curious internet wanderers,

This is a call to action. Inspired by Gestalt therapy (which says our environment matters just as much as our inner child), and the radical wisdom of Paul Goodman and Gabor Maté, this is about real-world healing. Not the “close your eyes and manifest it” kind, but the “roll up your sleeves, step into the community, face the messy world we’re all trying to survive (and maybe thrive in), and build something beautiful together” kind. I’m talking about bringing therapy principles into the ‘real’ world – where healing meets the social and political realities shaping our lives - to build spaces for healing, connection, and collective wellness.

Here’s the plan: I’m creating a Community Support Bursary to fund community projects run by student therapists and graduate therapists. The goal is to create initiatives that nurture wellness, healing and connection through the lens of social justice — projects that address real needs in the communities we serve. That means investing in projects like:

• Art workshops for youth who’ve had more trauma than field trips

• Community dinners that feed more than stomachs

• Dialogue circles where people actually talk to each other

• Movement classes for teenage moms that say, “Your body belongs here too”

• Run club for new immigrants making friends and questionable route choices

Any idea that sparks connection, growth, and healing — we want to make it happen!

I'm kicking things off with a bang — running a 150-mile ultramarathon from September 28 to October 4, 2025. I chose this race because the setup felt strangely poetic: every runner hauls their own backpack with all of their supplies for the week while also receiving the support of a beautiful community of medics, firekeepers, the legendary “thirst responders” and many more. We’re 157 runners from over 40 countries all sharing this epic journey together. I’ll be running my heart out and likely questioning all my life choices at mile 12.

The goal is to catalyze the Community Support Bursary and keep this movement growing—year after year—through different fundraisers offered by therapists. Whether that’s a run, bake sale or art show, anything that fuels creativity and strengthens community is welcome!

Shan Qi (friend, colleague, and master of sharp wit) and I will be reviewing proposals and directing funds to community projects each year—so get those ideas rolling! Stay tuned as we share exactly where the funding lands every year.

You’ll be able to follow the race in real-time with a tracker on each runner - mile 12 might get weird, but at least it’ll be entertaining.

Want to see this happen? DONATE NOW!

Because healing takes a village

With sweaty gratitude and radical hope,

Luisa de Amaral, AKA #30

#TherapistsOnTheMove #GestaltGoals #HealingIsPolitical"