Yolanda Harper
CO-FOUNDER, Post TraUmatic Stress Disorder - PTSD Trauma SPECIALIST, certified Relational Life Therapy - RLT Couples Therapist
Life taught you to be a giver, to take care of others, to not rock the boat. But that super power turns into your kryptonite and you find yourself exhausted, walking on eggshells, and just plain resentful.
You want a joyful life of meaning and connection, but you find yourself wondering exactly who you are. You try hard to quiet that voice that’s stirring — “what about me?” — and fill that emptiness with another glass of wine, or shopping, or scrolling through Facebook, wondering how everyone else is so happy. Or, you’ve experienced a total “face down” moment and have found yourself behaving in ways you never thought possible for you. Maybe you’ve ignored the warning signs to take care of yourself for so long that you’re considering talking to your doctor about medication for anxiety, depression, sleep, or other physical concerns like high blood pressure or weight loss.
When we work together, you’ll find the steps you can take to acknowledge and prioritize your feelings, instead of minimizing yourself in order to protect others. You’ll be happier, more content and connected, by taking care of yourself so that you can better show up for the people in your life.
My name is Yolanda and emotions are my superpower. I’m a therapist by trade — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma and post-traumatic growth — but my most meaningful work is to bear witness to people’s stories of struggle, strife, grit, and growth. I believe we can connect more deeply with others when we are truly connected to ourselves. I hope to see us restore some balance in our lives and remember the importance of being imperfectly human.
I’m the Founder and Director of Harper Therapy, a perfectly imperfect business owner, therapist, researcher, trainer, and teacher. I’m also a wife and mom to three human children and two therapy dogs — Goldendoodles Toby and Hobbes. I’m a daughter, a sister, a friend. Like yours, my life has not been easy. Wounded healers are the fiercest Hope-Holders, and that is the sacred space I offer to you — that of hope and possibility.
The formal fine print — I’m a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. I’m a Master Accelerated Resolution Therapist and am a Certified Trainer for the therapy. I’m Level II Gottman Trained, bringing the Gottman’s 40 years of research into sessions for couple’s therapy. I’m a Certified Daring Way Facilitator™ and use Brené Brown’s 15 years of research on shame resiliency, vulnerability, and connection so that we can wrap our common experiences into words that make sense. As a brain geek, I’ve also trained in neurofeedback, so my approach is a nice blend of emotions, thoughts, brain science, and research.
As a brain geek, I’ve also trained in neurofeedback, so my approach is a nice blend of emotions, thoughts, brain science, and research.
