For as long as I can remember, my world has been colored by the unique gift of synesthesia. This neurological phenomenon blurs the boundaries between senses, allowing me to see sound, feel colors, or experience visuals as vivid movies when I hear certain words or music. While science might explain synesthesia as cross-wiring in the brain, for me, it has always been a profound and personal gateway to understanding the world—and more importantly, the people in it. As a doula, lactation consultant, and healer, synesthesia has not only shaped how I perceive my environment but also how I hold space for others in their most vulnerable moments.

What Is Synesthesia?

At its core, synesthesia is a blending of the senses. For some, this means seeing specific colors when hearing music. For others, it might mean tasting certain words or associating emotions with distinct textures or hues. My synesthesia manifests most prominently when I listen to music, hear someone’s voice, or sense their emotional energy. It’s as though their words or feelings create a vivid, colorful projection—a kind of moving tapestry of emotions and intentions. This gift feels like an intuitive window into the soul, allowing me to experience layers of connection that transcend words.

How Synesthesia Shapes My Work

As someone who works intimately with people during the transformative periods of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, synesthesia is an invaluable tool. It enhances my ability to perceive the unspoken, hold space for others, and bring an elevated level of emotional and energetic presence to my work. Here are a few ways this gift influences my practice:



1. Sensing Emotions Energetically

When I step into a client’s space, their emotional energy often presents itself to me visually, like a soft aura or shifting pattern of colors. This helps me tune into their unspoken needs. For example, if I sense a heavy or muted energy around someone, I know to approach with gentleness and create space for them to release. If their energy feels vibrant and warm, I match their optimism and excitement. This constant awareness allows me to adapt my care to meet them exactly where they are—without judgment or expectation.

2. Creating Harmony Through Intuition

My synesthetic experiences with sound play a significant role in the way I communicate and connect with others. The tone, rhythm, and cadence of someone’s voice often convey as much meaning as their words. When I’m working with a birthing parent or providing postpartum care, I intuitively adjust my own voice and movements to align with what I’m sensing. This creates a harmonious flow of energy, helping them feel calmer, safer, and more understood.

3. Supporting Healing with Visualization

When helping a parent navigate emotional or physical challenges, I often guide them through visualizations that reflect what I’m seeing energetically. For example, if a parent is feeling overwhelmed, I might describe a calming image of their energy as a glowing river flowing smoothly again, helping them visualize balance and release. These visualizations aren’t just metaphors—they’re an extension of the energetic patterns I naturally see and interpret.

4. Honoring the Sacredness of Birth

Birth is an inherently energetic and transformative experience. For me, it’s not just a physical process but an intricate dance of emotions, intuition, and unseen forces. My synesthesia allows me to witness this process on an energetic level. The sounds of labor—a moan, a breath, a heartbeat—unfold into visual rhythms, helping me intuitively guide a birthing parent toward calm and focus. By aligning with these unseen patterns, I help create an environment where both the birthing parent and baby can thrive.

Holding Space with Energy and Empathy

The heart of my work is holding space for others. This means creating an environment where people feel safe, seen, and supported as they navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood. My synesthesia gives me a unique capacity to connect with others on a deep, energetic level, allowing me to hold space in ways that are both grounding and transformative. Here are a few energetic practices I use:

1. Grounding and Centering

Before entering any client’s space, I ground myself through a brief meditation or visualization. I picture my energy as a stable, glowing light that radiates calm and strength. This ensures that my presence doesn’t overwhelm but instead uplifts and supports those I’m working with.

2. Aligning Energy Through Breath

When I sense tension or anxiety in a client, I use breathwork to align our energies. I guide them in simple breathing exercises, matching their rhythm until their energy begins to soften and flow more freely. These moments of shared breath often feel like we’re creating a synchronized dance—one that brings clarity and calm.

3. Reflecting Energy Without Absorbing It

As someone who feels deeply and empathetically, it’s essential for me to reflect my clients’ energy back to them without absorbing it. To do this, I visualize their energy as a flowing current around me, not within me. This practice allows me to remain present and supportive without becoming overwhelmed or drained.

Healing Through Connection

Ultimately, my synesthesia is not just a gift for perceiving the world differently; it’s a tool for creating connection, understanding, and healing. It allows me to see beyond what’s spoken and hold space for the unspoken—the fears, hopes, and transformations that come with birth and parenting. By blending this unique sensory awareness with my training and intuition, I strive to offer care that feels not only practical but also profoundly nurturing.

Every parent I work with teaches me something new about the depth and beauty of human experience. Through the colors, patterns, and emotions I witness, I am constantly reminded of the sacredness of this work and the profound privilege it is to hold space for others during some of the most vulnerable and transformative moments of their lives.

In Their Words For those I’ve had the honor to support, the common thread of feedback is this: they feel truly seen, heard, and understood. And for me, that is the greatest validation of all—knowing that the way I experience the world can help others feel whole and cared for.