Welcome to The Willow Tree Holistic Mental Health. The willow has long been regarded as representing healing, regeneration, and endurance. Different cultures from all over the world believe in its magical properties, and even modern medicine recognized and adapted the pain-relieving powers it contains. It is a symbol of the divine feminine, and is associated with awareness, wisdom, and intuition. Willows often grow on the banks of lakes and rivers, holding back erosion and protecting the flow of water. The long, delicate branches trail in the currents, creating ripples of change but never impeding the flow. Old and broken branches can be trimmed back for new growth to sprout again, even growing a whole, new tree from a single branch. For me, The Willow Tree was a real place where, as a teen, I met with a small group of friends and we would talk for hours. We sat underneath the canopy and told stories of our lives. We shared our secrets, and gave each other support in the way only children can do; with open hearts and unconditional regard. For all of these reasons I chose the willow tree as the image for my practice, to honor this symbol of hope and restoration, and to remind me of the transformative power of being heard. I invite you to join me here. - Linnea G. Van Kirk, LMFT
