My name is Rebecca Henderson, but most people call me Becki. I’m originally from South San Francisco, California, though my attitude doesn’t exactly fit the stereotype. Over the years, I’ve lived all over the West Coast, collecting experiences, lessons, and stories along the way. Currently, I live in Arizona with my husband and work as a mental health therapist, accompanying others on their healing journeys.

So, what inspired me to write my last book—and this one? To be honest, it’s all about survival. It involves not only tolerating pain, but doing so with elegance, resilience, and my own sense of style. Despite its inherent beauty, life may be brutal at times. But I’ve learned that even in the darkest of circumstances, learning may be obtained.

When I first started studying psychological theory—writing papers, dissecting concepts, and applying them to real-life scenarios—I began to see my own experiences through the same lens, and I’ll tell you, it altered everything. Suddenly, I wasn’t just going through life; I was recognizing patterns, deeper meanings, and the causes of my own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Understanding psychological theory was more than just an intellectual exercise—it was also personal. It helped me make sense of my own difficulties, wounds, and, most significantly, development. But it didn’t end there. The more I delved into my personal narrative, the more I recognized how effective this method might be for others. When combined with the appropriate theoretical framework, self-reflection may provide a wealth of information, not just about where we have been but also about where we are going. It offered me a fresh approach to help my clients—by leading them through their own insights, enabling them to recognize the connections, patterns, and, in the end, the path forward.

What about the future? That is still in progress. One thing I’ve discovered is that life reveals what comes next when you’re prepared to listen. Thus, for the time being, I pay attention. And when the moment arrives, I’ll be certain of what I’m supposed to do.