Virtual Community Open Mic: Creative Variety Night

Welcome! My name is Candace. I’m a Peer Specialist-CMPSS based in California. I hold a BA in Psychology and have over 14 years of experience in community mental health and community building, always moving toward the same goal: creating spaces where people can show up as themselves — not a collection of symptoms, diagnoses, or as a performance, but as whole human beings. I’ve moved through anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, PMDD, having ADHD, being autistic, and a lifetime of sensory overload that comes with it. I believe recovery is about finding your way back to yourself — taking stock of what needs to be released and what you want to make room for — and building from there. I don’t believe it is a one stop destination or about making yourself more palatable. I’m a creative at heart — painting, dance, baking, and singing are how I reconnect with myself. They remind me that healing can also be expressive, joyful, and deeply human. My focus is supporting neurodivergent individuals and people living with chronic illnesses to connect, grow, and learn in a supportive community. The spaces I hold are sacred, and I am honored to hold them. They are grounded in authenticity, healing, humor, and genuine care — and this is why I protect them with intention. Confidentiality and informed consent are non-negotiable for me and the spaces I hold. My groups are not clinical training grounds. They are healing spaces, and the stories, experiences, and safety of participants deserve to be respected by everyone who attends. No Student, Clinical Observation, Self-Promotion Allowed.