Finding your way back to safety, connection, and meaning
I help people and communities find their way back to safety, connection, and meaning after trauma and life-altering experiences.
Trauma doesn’t just affect what happened. It reshapes how we feel in our bodies, how we relate to others, and how we make sense of our lives. Healing begins by restoring what was disrupted.
The Human Foundation of Healing
At our core, we all share the same basic human needs
Safety — to feel secure in our bodies, emotions, and environments
Connection — to feel connected to ourselves and to others
Meaning — to feel purpose, belonging, or direction in our lives.
When these needs are supported, we feel grounded and whole.
When they are disrupted, especially through trauma, life can begin to feel fragmented and unsafe.
How Trauma Disrupts These Needs
Trauma is an injury.
An injury to the mind.
An injury to the heart and emotions.
An injury to the body.
Because trauma is experienced throughout the whole system, it affects far more than memory. It shapes reactions, relationships, nervous system responses, and a person’s sense of identity and meaning.
Some people experience trauma after their basic needs were once met.
Others grow up without those needs being consistently supported.
Both deserve care. Both can heal.
communities rebuilding after collective trauma.
The Framework: Safety, Connection, Meaning
To support deep, sustainable healing, my work is structured around restoring these three essential needs.
Safety
Re-establishing internal and external safety so the nervous system can settle and reactions become more manageable.
Connection
Rebuilding connection with the body, developing healthier relationship patterns, and creating experiences of support rather than harm.
Meaning
Helping people make sense of what they’ve lived through and reconnect with a life that feels purposeful and worth living.
This framework is practical, embodied, and adaptable. It supports individuals in personal healing, groups in shared growth, and communities rebuilding after collective trauma.
Where This Work Applies
This work is grounded in the same core human needs—safety, connection, and meaning—no matter the setting.
While the language and practices may look different in each context, the underlying principles remain the same.
It supports:
Individuals navigating personal or developmental trauma
Groups seeking shared healing and reconnection
Communities and organizations impacted by collective or systemic trauma
Working with Gwen has been one of the best choices I have ever made. She has really helped to be kinder to myself, get past my self-criticism, and learn to enjoy each moment more. I have developed better coping skills when my anxiety goes off the charts! I highly recommend her as a therapist. Her ideas are practical and they worked for me!
O.N.
“Gwen has been vital in helping me transform pain into a beautiful life. She is compassionate, extremely skilled, genuine, and trustworthy, creating a space for me to feel safe and be vulnerable. Gwen is kind, insightful, and validating.
She has helped me work through very difficult challenges and has been a driving force for positive change in my life. Gwen has always been available when I needed her. She is a great therapist, one who has made a lasting impact on my life.” J.B.
Healing Retreat (Spring 2026)
An immersive healing experience
A guided, in-person retreat designed to help participants slow down, reconnect, and restore safety, connection, and meaning in a supportive environment.
Best for those seeking deep, relational healing away from daily life.
Ways to Work Together
1:1 Therapy
Personalized, trauma-informed support
Individual therapy for those who want depth, privacy, and tailored support as they work through trauma and life-altering experiences.
Best for those seeking ongoing, individualized care.
One KIND Thing Group Program
Structured healing in community
A group-based program built around small, intentional practices that support creating safety, connection, and meaning over time.
This offering is designed for people who want to heal in relationship while learning practical, everyday skills.
From Trauma to Healing
Healing becomes more than survival. It becomes a life worth living.
When safety, connection, and meaning begin to return:
People feel safer in their bodies and in everyday situations
Emotional reactions become more manageable
Relationships shift toward healthier patterns
Meaning emerges—through trauma or beyond it
A Gentle Invitation
Healing is not about fixing what’s broken. It’s about restoring what was interrupted.
If you’re not sure where to begin, One KIND Thing is often the right place to start.
(A gentle, group-based starting point for healing and reconnection.)
Gwen Brehm
The nation is facing a widespread mental health crisis, with as many as 21% of Americans expressing a need for assistance. As a professional counselor, I intimately understand the challenges associated with addressing this issue.
Meanwhile, businesses are experiencing decreased performance, as up to 30% of their workforce grapples with mental health challenges that remain unresolved. At an individual level, many struggle with their mental health on a daily basis, without receiving the necessary support, leading to a continuous downward spiral into worsening conditions.
As the creator of the One Kind Thing (OKT) Framework, I bring a fresh perspective to behavior change and trauma recovery. OKT was born from my belief in the power of small, intentional acts of kindness—both toward others and oneself—to spark lasting transformation. Small changes made each day lead to major results, both for individuals and businesses.
Whether working with individuals, helping businesses and organizations, leading groups, or engaging audiences as a speaker, my mission is to help people reclaim their strength, nurture their potential, and delight in their successes. My unique blend of expertise and empathy ensures that every client and participant feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
A seasoned Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, boasts over 30 years of psychotherapy expertise. Specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness-based skills, meditation, and Mindful Self-Compassion classes, Gwen assists clients in achieving their goals.
Understanding that healing journeys vary, Gwen offers individual therapy, and group coaching sessions and public speaking engagements tailored to each client's needs. Her ultimate goal is to empower clients to lead fulfilling lives, providing personalized care for a successful transformation journey.
Masters of Education
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therpist