Marina H.
State Certified Peer Supporter · Tacoma, WA
Hi, I'm Marina. I suffer with BPD and PTSD, and I am a survivor of abuse. I am here to listen without judgment and recognize you as a WHOLE person.
average from 11 reviews
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one-on-one sessions
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About Marina
Hi, I'm Rina and I have been diagnosed with BPD and PTSD. I find it hard to talk about myself sometimes, as it feels like these diagnoses are the only accurate ways to describe myself. I don't always feel like a whole person, but I am. Sometimes I am extroverted, most of the time I am not. I love extremely hard, and since I feel everything in the extremes, when I experience something lovely, or something new, it's a euphoric, movie scene feeling! Usually happens when I am outdoors or having a sweet moment with a loved one. I am a writer, I like to sing, I love long walks and talks. I love to listen and learn through shared experiences. I feel especially drawn to supporting others and I hope to do that here.
My Recovery Story
Recovery is not linear, and with BPD, there is a lifetime of emotional relapse to look forward to. I have survived suicide attempts, I have been in inpatient facilities, I have gone to therapy, I have found coping skills, I have taken medication, I have done the work and fell back into the dark place again and again. I have many recovery stories, but this one is different, because I stopped trying to "Heal" and realized that healing is an ongoing path with no clear ending, just new twists, turns and adventures that come along the way. I got myself out of an abusive relationship last year, I kept up with therapy during that time, I spoke up for myself and accepted help rather than choosing codependency and comfortable darkness. I have been taking my medications consistently now for over a year. and while I do still have melt downs, I can keep myself safe through them. I have all of the symptoms still, but now I can manage my behavior/what I choose to do about these symptoms. I have not engaged in self-harming behaviors in two years, I do not drink or smoke any more (one year clean). I am living independently in a stable environment; I have a job that I love and dreams of travel and a future I could not see for myself before.
My Motivation To Help
For the majority of my late teens until I was about 23, I was extremely isolated. I had my diagnosis, and a few connections, but felt entirely alone. Anyone who tried to support me often seemed to say the "wrong" things, rather than listen. People tend to immediately make suggestions on how to feel better, rather than listening to what the person in pain is really saying. As I started to seek outside help, attend support groups and seek more connections, I realized what helped me was just to be truly heard. Truly listened to, without solutions or suggestions on how I might be "fixed". I felt understood. In the process of being in mutually supportive environments, I realized that I could create that same kind of safe space for someone else. I realized I could listen and uplift, without inserting any opinions or ideas of my own. I have the ability to remain open minded, neutral, engaged and understanding, because I truly understand. I have been a peer supporter, unknowingly, for my entire life. Though I may not have always been supported, I have always been a supporter of those around me. I think it is just a part of me, one of the parts of myself that I really appreciate and would like to exercise in order to help someone that may be going through one or many of the things that I have gone through in my life.
My Chatrooms
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Fear of Abandonment: Peer Support 96 membersSign in to join
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What peers say about Marina
based on 11 ratings
"Very good"
Luis G.
Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group · April 2025
"Marina is beautiful, attentive, and well traveled. "
Josette F.
Black and Brown Women: Peer to Peer · April 2025
"This is my second session with Marina, and she's wonderful. Her empathy has been invaluable, and her advice, drawn from personal experience, has been incredibly beneficial. I plan to book a weekly session."
Ms A.
Peer Support 1.1/Session Two · April 2025
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