Growing up in a divorced, blended, abusive home was very unpredictable. The uncertainty about whose house I would be at, what people would be there, and what version of life I was walking into each day was exhausting. What was consistent growing up was the abuse. This abuse ranged from physical, emotional, and sexual. Because of this, I spent a lot of my childhood feeling alone, anxious, hyperaware of everything around me, and unsure of what was "right" or "wrong," especially when it came to sex, boundaries, and relationships. A lot of my life felt based around survival — trying to keep the peace, trying to predict people's moods, and trying to protect myself emotionally the best I could.
Life really changed when I was 17 and finally removed from my home and placed into foster care. Even though my home life was unhealthy, it was still all I had ever known. Suddenly, everything was gone. My family was gone, my routines were gone, the house I lived in was gone, and the life I had always known completely changed overnight.
It honestly felt like a snow globe had been shaken up and nothing settled for a very long time.
That was when my anxiety hit its peak. Fear, abandonment, and negative belief systems felt louder than ever. I was scared of not having a family, scared of people leaving, and unsure of where I even belonged or what my future was supposed to look like.
As I navigated through the trauma, anxiety, attachment wounds, and the constant thoughts that never seemed to stop, I slowly started to understand why I wanted to become a therapist. I realized how much pain can shape the way someone sees themselves, relationships, safety, and the world around them. I struggled with pulling people close out of fear they would leave and then pushing them away before they had the chance to hurt me. I wanted healthy relationships while also realizing I had never actually seen healthy relationships modeled growing up. Healing through all of that required patience, empathy, honesty, and people who were willing to sit with me in the hard moments without judgment.
There were people who helped me along the way, and I am incredibly grateful for that, but healing was also lonely at times. Even when surrounded by people, trauma can make someone feel deeply alone and misunderstood.
Because of my experiences, I understand what it feels like to need someone safe, consistent, and trustworthy. I know what it feels like to want someone to just listen, help process the confusion, and remind you that you are not broken because of what happened to you.
You are not broken because of what happened to you.
When it came time to decide what I wanted out of life, I knew I wanted to be that person for others. I wanted to create a space where people feel safe enough to be honest about the things they carry — whether that is trauma, anxiety, shame, fear, grief, or relationship struggles. I want people to know they do not have to have everything figured out to deserve support.
I became a therapist because I know how powerful it is when someone finally feels seen, heard, and supported in a genuine way. My experiences are a huge part of why I value transparency, empathy, consistency, and integrity so deeply in the work that I do.
Kendra Jones, CMHC
Lead Therapist & Founder
Mending Minds Therapy · Cedar City, Utah
You Deserve Support
If something in this post resonated with you, I would love to talk. You do not have to have everything figured out to reach out.
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This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute therapy or medical advice. If you're in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.