To “Turn over a New Leaf” means to start over, to act differently, or to change your perspective about something. In the 16th century, pages in books were referred to as leaves. So turning over a new leaf meant that one was turning to a blank page. This expression was used to signify a major change in behavior, or a new stage in life.

The other meaning of the name is the metaphorical significance of when a plant grows a new leaf. As a lover of plants, every time I see a new leaf appear on one of my plants, I feel so much joy. All of the watering, fertilizing, and daylight that I have given my plant is making it take up more space, show new colors, bloom flowers, make a new shape, turn a different direction, or even grow out of an older container and ask for a better one. As a lover of propagating plants as well, I love to see new roots grow. One of my favorite things about the brain is that it is so malleable and capable of change. This is called neuroplasticity. Our brain is capable of creating new neural pathways. So when I imagine these two things, I imagine our brain as this beautiful plant that is sprouting new leaves, growing new roots, and showing the beauty of that growth through the way that we live our lives. 

If you want to start a new chapter and write a new narrative for your life, therapy is an amazing place to start. If you want to grow new habits, new thought patterns, new relational patterns, and new ways of caring for yourself, therapy is an incredible place to grow. 

The joy that I have in watching my plants grow is like the joy that I have in watching individuals grow in therapy. I provide a contained space, care for them, and watch them grow and nourish their mental health in powerful ways.

I’m so happy you are here and can’t wait to start this journey with you.