Tulips are resilient and grow even in mountainous, rocky areas similar to humans. They bloom in the spring representing a rebirth or new life and have traditionally been given for someone going through life changes, taking on new adventures or challenges, or having a new addition to their family or life.

The Story Behind Tulipa Therapy

Two women, one wearing sunglasses and a floral shirt, and the other in a pink and purple swimsuit, enjoying a day at the beach with the ocean in the background.

I would love to take a moment to introduce you to my grandma, Gloria Becker.

Logo with a minimalistic line drawing of tulip flowers on a purple background, with the text 'Tulipa Therapy' at the top and 'Embrace Wellness From Within' at the bottom.

My grandma played a significant role in my life as a matriarch who helped shape the woman I am today and the parent I have become. She will forever be a part of me and the way that I show up in the world. I created this space to honor her memory and the legacy that continues to live on through me and now Tulipa.

A person drinking from a large coffee mug at a desk.

My grandma played a pivotal role in my upbringing and helped lay the foundation for my own understanding of culture and beliefs.

She passed down her values of community, life being a blessing, acts of loving kindness, social justice, hope, and making the world a better place. Our relationship was so special and taught me about how I want to show up in the world and who I want to be in relationships with others. My grandma listened, and really heard me, even when I said things that upset her. She didn’t judge me and she continued to shower me with unconditional love and respectfully supported my choices even if she didn’t agree with them. My grandma taught me how to love and be compassionate and to raise my children. She taught me how to stand up for what is just and right even when it’s hard. Her influence on my life, my relationships, my parenting, and my work has been immeasurable.

An elderly woman and a young woman are hugging and smiling in a kitchen.

My grandma became my best friend, we would talk on the phone every day, and most of the time we talked multiple times a day. She was the one I called for everything, without hesitation, because I knew that no matter what was going on in my life or what I needed at that moment, she would do her best to support me in whatever way I needed, whether that be a listening ear, a pep talk, or even just a loving call out with an opposing perspective. I also knew that my grandma would hold space for me in a way that I did not need to experience shame or guilt and this allowed me to be my most authentic self with her. When my grandma was diagnosed with severe dementia, I had the opportunity to step up as her conservator and care for her in the same way that she had cared for me my whole life, with unconditional love. Throughout this challenging time our relationship grew in ways that I couldn’t have imagined and since she has passed our relationship continues to evolve as grief is something that does not leave, but becomes something we learn to navigate and coexist with over time.

A young woman with long dark hair, smiling, sitting on a beige chair with her hand resting on her cheek, near a tall plant with green leaves.

In my work as a therapist, I carry these lived experiences and values she instilled in me.

The compassion, respect, and understanding she generously gave to me inform my approach when helping others navigate their challenges. Her legacy is woven into the fabric of my therapeutic practice, where I can create a space for clients to feel heard, understood, and supported, just as my grandma did for me. Honoring her memory means extending the love and lessons she shared with me to those seeking guidance and healing in their own lives. My grandma's influence continues to shape not only my life but also the lives of those I engage with and support through my work as a therapist.

So how did all of this give life to Tulipa?

A fun fact about my grandma is that she had a love for tulips that left a permanent mark on my memories. There were tulip fridge magnets, tulips on her clothes, and tulips on the clothes she dressed me in as a child. From the bedding to the towels, tulips graced every corner of her home and her life. Tulips brought my grandma joy.

An elderly woman with glasses is sitting on a chair and holding a young girl, both smiling and looking at each other.

While reflecting on her influence in my life and the values she instilled in me that show up in my work, I found myself delving into the meaning behind her cherished flower. Research revealed that tulips, resilient and capable of thriving in mountainous and rocky areas, mirrored the strength hidden beneath their delicate appearance, much like the resilience within us as humans. Tulips also represent rebirth with their springtime bloom, something I hope to support with my clients, who often come to therapy seeking help creating change in their lives. I find joy in supporting my clients with rewriting their unique narratives and creating the life they want for themselves, as if they are a tulip in bloom.

This representation of tulips in my therapeutic practice and the memory of grandma seemed to intertwine seamlessly. This is the way that I am honoring her and all of the wisdom she shared with me and the world. Tulipa is how her legacy and soul will live on and continue to give joy and contribute to healing in the world.

A Legacy of Care Carried Forward

My grandmother taught me what it feels like to be truly heard, accepted, and loved without having to be someone other than yourself. She also showed me that compassion and honesty can exist together, that someone can support you wholeheartedly while still offering a perspective that helps you grow.

Those lessons are at the heart of how I believe therapy should feel.

At Tulipa Therapy, we believe care should go deeper. Beyond managing symptoms or finding ways to get through another difficult week, therapy can help you understand yourself more fully, recognize the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and reconnect with the person you are beneath the expectations, responsibilities, and roles you carry.

We want therapy to be a space where you can show up as you are, without shame or judgment, while also feeling supported in making meaningful changes. A place where compassion and practical tools come together, where you can explore what you've been carrying, and where understanding yourself becomes the starting point for doing things differently.

We know that change isn't always easy, and there isn't a perfect formula for feeling better. But we believe that with the right support, meaningful change is possible. You can build greater trust in yourself, make room for what matters to you, and begin creating a life that feels more like your own.

This is the kind of care I hoped to create when I founded Tulipa Therapy. And as the practice grows, my hope is that every woman who finds her way here experiences that same sense of being seen, understood, and supported, while discovering what is possible for herself.

You don't have to navigate it all alone.

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May her memory be a blessing.