Congratulations on being part of “Slaying Vegas”! Can you tell us a little about how you became involved with the book project?

Leigh Clark is the curator of the “Slay the USA” series. She has compiled books from several cities and found me on social media. After we spoke about her vision, I knew I wanted to be part of it. Each author in the book contributed a 1,500-word essay about powerful women making their mark.

What’s the significance of the title, “Slaying Vegas”?

In her foreword, Leigh talks about how Las Vegas is often seen as a city of escape, but for her it was a place to build. She wanted to highlight people who are reinventing their spaces and bringing their best to whatever field they are in.

Your chapter is a case study on yourself. What inspired you to share your personal story in that format?

We were tasked with writing about how we got to where we are, the challenges we faced along the way, and what helped us persevere. As a therapist, I chose to write my story objectively, using the framework I might use with a client: strengths, weaknesses, family of origin, mental health concerns, etc. It was cathartic to process the past few years—my divorce, personal traumas, and the loss of my brother who had been instrumental in allowing me to connect with my biological father and siblings in Kenya. My chapter is called “From Hopeless to Hope Filled: Healing and Helping Others Find Their Way.”

You’ve said your goal is to help normalize conversations about mental health, therapy and medication. Why is that important to you?

There’s still stigma. I want to demystify therapy and medication and let people know it’s okay to ask for help. We are at a pivotal time in the world where so many could benefit from support. By sharing my own journey, I hope others will feel brave enough to reach out too.

What has been the response since the book launched?

It’s been incredible. Within 24 hours, the book hit #1 in two Amazon categories and sold out on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. People are connecting with our stories—we’re everyday women, not celebrities, and that makes it powerful. In my personal life, friends and colleagues have celebrated with me, and my kids were at the launch. It’s been exciting for them to watch me rebuild after so much change in a short period of time.

How did it feel to see that strong reaction?

Amazing! I couldn’t sleep the night I saw the book hit #1. I was refreshing Amazon constantly, texting my friends—we were all celebrating together.

What’s one takeaway you hope readers carry with them?

That it’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to restart.

How do you bring this same focus on mental health into your work here at the Health District?

I try to show up authentically in both my leadership and direct service roles. I admit mistakes, try to communicate openly, and do my best to be grace-filled because I’ve been given a lot of grace. People can sense when you’re being real, and I believe that matters in our work.

What’s next for you?

I’m not profiting financially from this book, but it reignited my love for writing. With a background in English and years of creative writing experience, I feel like another book is already brewing. My mission remains to educate and advocate—to normalize mental health conversations everywhere I go. I also serve on the board of National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Nevada (NAMI), which is close to my heart.