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My Story
I grew up in the beautiful countryside of Brazil surrounded by the simple joys of farm life.
I was a carefree child – but my life took a drastic turn as a teen when we moved to Rio…
Rio is a very violent city, and it forced me to face a series of traumatic events: shootings, curfew orders, and my mom being held at gunpoint.
Amidst this stress, my mental health began to unravel, exacerbated by medications and vaccines I received — including birth control pills, the Gardasil vaccine, and allergy shots containing heavy metals.
Soon the diagnoses began to pile up:
✔ Panic Disorder
✔ Generalized Anxiety Disorder
✔ Major Depressive Disorder
✔ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
✔ Agoraphobia
✔ Claustrophobia
✔ Depersonalization
✔ Derealization
✔ Dissociation
My psychiatrist attributed my struggles to a "chemical imbalance in my brain." He explained that there was no test to prove it, but that my need for medication was like a diabetic's need for insulin.
When I asked him if these pills risked any long-term side effects, he said “no”, so I agreed to take them.
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Attempts to fully break free led to brain zaps, nausea, and feelings of impeding doom. To avoid feeling anxious, I started to live small.
With each dosage reduction, I felt myself connecting with my emotions, body, and spirituality more than I ever had before
Healing must always account for the physical, energetic, AND spiritual.
And the thing about healing is that it is never a linear journey…
When I finally got off psych meds, despite feeling better, I still experienced bouts of depression and anhedonia — the lack of feelings.
These were intensified by knowing I had to constantly do things just to maintain my baseline health: eat clean, avoid toxins, exercise, go to the sauna, take supplements, meditate, etc.
Then I realized something crucial:
I was missing JOY!
Where could I find joy?
I had already tried it all – talk therapy, EMDR, NLP, IV NAD, B12 injections, cleanses, chiropractic care, massage, microdosing, breathwork, cold plunges, and all the supplements.
I am so happy to be here on the other side, and to be living proof that you CAN heal after psychiatric medication harm.
I shifted into full-time coaching, Reiki healing, yoga instructing, dancing, and teaching sacred sexuality to my fellow sisters.
I have been off Lexapro for two years now, and no longer experience anxiety, depression, palpitations, or skin issues. My hair is lush and long again, and I love going on adventures, trying new things, and taking risks. I have an amazing group of friends and am motivated to create!
It is like I died and was reborn.
Now, as I sit in my jungle bungalow writing this, I realize everything I went through happened for two reasons: to live a more aligned life and to help people get off psychiatric medications.
The suffering was not a waste; it was actually the launching point into fulfilling my soul’s purpose!
I am so happy to be here on the other side, and to be living proof that you CAN heal after psychiatric medication harm.
I now help people one-on-one by teaching them how to nourish the body, mind, and soul to facilitate coming off meds with minimal withdrawal symptoms.
You can thrive, not just survive!
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To find out how, schedule your low-cost discovery session with me — I can only offer these for a short time.
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Yours in healing,
Emilie
My psychiatrist attributed my struggles to a "chemical imbalance in my brain"
I quickly realized there were in fact side effects – and they were horrific! Weight gain, skin issues, hair loss, palpitations, and even WORSENING anxiety.
For the next seven years, I rode a violent rollercoaster of going on and off these meds, filled with brutal side effects and even more brutal withdrawal symptoms.
Attempts to fully break free led to brain zaps, nausea, and feelings of impending doom.
To avoid feeling anxious, I started to live small. I stayed in at night, I refused to drive on the highway, and I stopped going for runs since they would trigger my dissociation.
It wasn't until a friend introduced me to the concepts of "inflammation" and "leaky gut" that I realized the profound impact of our daily choices on our health. ​
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This revelation was a complete game-changer, opening my eyes to the connection between what we eat and how we feel.
I decided to completely overhaul my diet. By changing this one factor, I lost weight, cleared my skin, and significantly stabilized my mood.
When I finally got off psych meds, despite feeling better, I still experienced bouts of depression and anhedonia - the lack of feelings.
They all helped to some degree, each holding a little piece of the puzzle, but none of them were the “one thing that made me feel better.”
Then I had another epiphany:
The thinking that got me into this mess—the belief that there would be ONE thing, one pill, one modality that would save me—was the exact problem blocking me from finding joy!
So, I decided to focus on the accumulation of little moments of joy.
I began going to local hot springs. Every time I left a soak session, I felt lighter and more hopeful – so I kept going.
I went to sensual dance class, too. It helped me connect to my feminine energy – I felt empowered after every session.
For the first time in years, I began to believe there was a light at the end of the psych-med-tunnel.
I felt so much better that I sought out to expand my holistic understanding. I became a Certified Yoga Teacher, Reiki Practitioner, and Integrative Health Coach.
Next, I found a naturopath who guided me through a slow, hyperbolic taper, supported by supplements, exercise, mindfulness, and diet.
With each dosage reduction, I felt myself connecting with my emotions, body, and spirituality more than I ever had before.
As my medication decreased, my spiritual channels became clearer. I could finally pray and connect with my spiritual team. Every day, as I sat in meditation, I felt my faith returning.
And this is when my true healing finally began.
The thinking that got me into this mess-the belief that there would be ONE thing, one pill, one modality that would save me-was the exact problem blocking me from finding joy!
I wanted to dive deeper into practices that connected me to my body, spirituality, and feminine nature. So, I started studying somatics, trauma healing, and neo-tantra.
Then I had yet another epiphany:
I was living in the United States—a foreign country far away from my family and the jungles I adore. I was getting in my car and on the highway every day to sit in a cold office and work 40 hours a week to make someone else’s dreams come true.
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The many years on antidepressants had turned me into a people-pleaser, compliant, and overworked. I just “pushed through,” did everything by myself, and didn’t ask for help.
I knew I had to make my most drastic move yet…
So I sold my house and car, closed my accounts, quit my job, and moved back to my home country of Brazil.
At 33 years old, I moved back in with my parents, and it was the best decision I could have made!
My days were now filled with love, support, family meals, and regular access to the beach.
Next, I moved into an intentional community in the jungle, where the pace of life was slower – days filled with nature, community gatherings, and amazing local food.