I’ve rarely encountered a vision as inspiring as that of my friend and client Neathery Falchuk.

Neathery is the founder of Ample + Rooted, an inclusive therapy practice based on anti-oppression, and dreams of a world where every single person can take up space and fully embody their physical and emotional selves without shame. A world where pleasure, compassion, and liberation are centered and accessible to all.

The need for a more inclusive therapy practice became clear to Neathery early in their career as a therapist as a result of their own lived experience and the experience of others around them. As a queer, non-binary, fat, and Latinx (Mexican American) person, Neathery experienced a significant amount of identity confusion growing up because they never fully felt like they fit in anywhere.

“My identities exist in a liminal space when juxtaposed with our binary world we are socialized to uphold,” Neathery says. “This led to many years of pain and struggle. Claiming my space in this world and honoring all of who I am has been profoundly healing. This sense of belonging is why I founded Ample + Rooted, so we can support others on their journey of coming home to themselves. There are many systems of oppression that disconnect us from our inner knowing and Ample + Rooted exists to support our collective liberation.”

Ample + Rooted is unlike anything else in the mental health service field and seeks to serve those whom “traditional” mental health resources tend to ignore. As a practice, Ample + Rooted focuses on building supportive, respectful relationships between clients and professionals, encouraging autonomy and self-advocacy, and welcoming feedback from clients so they can continue to offer the best support available.

“We practice a relational approach to therapy which means we believe healing begins with a genuine, respectful, and trusting relationship and that each client is the expert in their own lives,” Neathery says. “As therapists, we are humans too and we can and will make mistakes. At Ample + Rooted, we value feedback and believe part of the healing work is being able to share your reactions to your therapist and for your therapist to hold space with gentleness and to explore relationship rupture and repair. This is what it means to be humans in relationships. We will mess up and hurt others and relationships grow stronger when there is genuine repair and accountability. Your therapist is working for you and you get to say what works or doesn’t work for you and if your therapist isn’t helping you foster your innate connection to your intuition and encouraging you to express yourself, then it’s okay to find a new therapist.”

Another major goal of Ample + Rooted is creating massive change at the institutional and ideological level as well.

“Our philosophy at Ample + Rooted is radical in nature. It is intended to disrupt any sense of “norm” as this “norm” has been rooted in racism, sexism, genderphobia, queerphobia, ableism, ageism, xenophobia, and capitalism. What is considered foundational theory for the field of psychology was “developed” by white men. While we utilize evidence-based approaches, we also believe that lived experience is evidence. We take an inclusive approach to our work that is intersectional and rooted in anti-oppression.”

This is a beautiful, world-changing vision, and of course, making this dream a reality is a huge undertaking, and Neathery found they wanted and needed support in this journey.

Like every business owner experiences, Neathery was doing everything on their own and drowning in that neverending to-do list. They craved more ease and flow in their projects so they could still enjoy the process, but not be so weighed down by having to manage it all that they resented this business they love so much.

We quickly settled into a supportive work relationship that enriched us both!

“Working with you and your team is like being held in a warm blanket,” Neathery told me. (Which is one of the best compliments I’ve ever received!) “I know I’m not alone and that I have a wildly supportive team with me every step of the way. Y’all provided me with such relief to help give my vision for new programs life. I also have so much time back to put into other areas of my business and also to not work as hard. You and your team are not just supportive but you also have vast knowledge and experience that I would not have been able to figure out on my own. I literally don’t know how I would have done this without y’all!”

The best part is, Neathery has found more confidence in this support. “There is a gentleness and kindness that radiates from you that helps me believe in myself. It’s vulnerable to have a vision and put it out into the world and you help build my confidence which has been incredibly healing.”

Believe me when I say that this is my absolute greatest wish for my clients, and I’m so honored to be a part of Neathery’s personal and business growth. I can’t wait to see how they impact the world with their vision!