My name is Aspen Wilson. I an a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of experience in adult mental health. I was first drawn to this field after facing my own mental health challenges in young adulthood and having less than ideal therapy experiences. At first I thought therapy wasn’t for me. Then I finally realized it was all about finding the right fit in a therapist. I used my experiences to become the therapist I needed in earlier in life.  

However, on February 9th 2019, my world changed forever when my first child was born. Otis was perfect. My husband, Mark, and I were exhausted, but happy when we took him on the following day. But that happiness did not last long. That night, for reasons we still don’t fully understand, Otis stopped breathing in my arms. Mark, being a paramedic, performed CPR on our newborn son. Otis spend the next few days on life-support until we had to make the unthinkable decisions to let our son die. 

I cannot use words to express the emotional pain Mark and I experiences. It was absolute torture. There were moments I truly could not conceptualize how to keep going. Despite my years of practice as a skilled therapist, and my own history of managing mental health challenges, I was at a complete loss. I was lucky to be surrounded by other mental health professionals, and have intimate knowledge of the available avenues and treatment options. With those resources I was able to “build” my own treatment plan. 

Without that treatment, I would not be living the life I am today. Mark and I are still happily married. We now have a spunky, brilliant, and kind little girl. I miss Otis every day. But I am beyond grateful for what I have. And I am so proud to say that I am ok because I kept going.