Service Array:
Individual Skill Development and Enhancement
Howdy hey! My name is Claud (she/they) and I’m so excited to work together with you on your goals!
Growing up as a queer kid in a very small religious and conservative community in the farmlands of SE Wisconsin was not always the easiest thing. I struggled with depression, anxiety, and lots of anger. To make matters a little tougher for me, I grew up with a parent who was severely addicted to both heroin and alcohol. This did not make my home a safe place for me to grow, flourish, or get the help I so desperately needed for mental health issues that continued to get more and more severe.
When I went off to college to study psychology, social services, and justice and public policy, I thought this would be the first step to freedom and a way to leave all the trauma and harm I experienced as a child behind. I was overwhelmed by freedom and soon discovered alcohol. As I was not addressing any of my mental health issues or trauma, alcohol became a way to numb my emotional pain and ease my anxiety. I soon became an adult with severe alcoholism and worsening mental health issues.
It was not until I was in my 30s that I got the help I needed. A particularly bad incident landed me in rehab where I decided it was time to get sober and face the mental health issues I was so desperately trying to escape. Through therapy, various sobriety programs, and the help of my wonderful support system, I can now proudly say that I am sober and thriving. I am still healing my life through therapy, healthy coping skills, and various other self-improving, positive activities.
I am proud to say that I am, likely, the nerdiest consultant on the CC We Adapt team. Between Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Anime, Renaissance Faire, and countless other things from nerd culture, I have found the freedom I was so desperate for as a child and heal. I love staying active by hiking, walking/jogging, and ashtanga yoga. My love for animals, especially my 4 cats, has been an incredible area for growth and development for me. I enjoy being involved in the queer community and animal welfare. I’ve learned that being authentic to myself and to others has only bettered my life in the long run. I no longer run from my problems and instead face them head on! I strive to be the supportive person I always needed during my times of struggle!