By Dr. Bianka Hardin, PsyD
As a founder and clinician, I’ve walked through my own seasons of change. In recent years, perimenopause and menopause have brought unexpected challenges—brain fog, low energy, insomnia, and feeling unlike myself. I wasn’t prepared for the intensity, and my experience reflects a broader reality: women’s health is too often overlooked or minimized. It took time, medical support, and community to understand what was happening, and years to feel like myself again.
I spoke openly about this, and in doing so found connection, relief, and solidarity. My leadership capacity took a hit at times, but I was fortunate to have a strong leadership team, the CTC community, and outside support to help me navigate this period. After about three years, I feel my light returning—with renewed energy, clarity, and creative momentum.
“Imperfect and together—we keep learning.”
What This Season Taught Me
- Humility and curiosity are strengths.
- Community makes resilience possible.
- Authenticity—naming what’s real—creates connection and choice.
- Engaged messiness is not a problem to fix; it’s a path to growth.
How I’ve Continued to Grow
I’ve intentionally sought spaces and practices that support my growth as a leader and human being:
- Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead Program: This experience—and working through the Dare to Lead book with my leadership team—reinforced the power of vulnerability, the importance of courage over comfort, and the need to normalize failure as part of innovation and growth.
- Complex Trauma Training Center Community: Serving as a Teaching Assistant has been transformative. In that space, I’ve witnessed leaders who truly walk the walk—embracing their humanity, committing to personal and professional growth, and leading by example.
- Support From Individual and Group Consultation and Therapy: I continue to engage in my own therapy and consultation because I believe that we cannot take others where we haven’t gone ourselves.
- Deep Relationships and Friendships: I allow myself to be truly seen and supported. This is what we all need right now—connection that reminds us we are not alone.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that we are not islands. Growth happens in relationships, in community, and in the engaged messiness of life. It is essential to have mentors, peers, and spaces where we can show up authentically.
Looking Ahead
Rooted in our relational, depth-oriented, and trauma-informed lens, we aim to:
- Expand access through our low-fee therapy program.
- Grow training opportunities via the CTC Training Center.
- Deepen mentorship and supervision grounded in consent, pacing, and presence.
- Cultivate a culture of repair over perfection, inside our team and with our community.
Gratitude & Reflection
Thank you—to every client, clinician, trainee, supervisor, partner, and friend of CTC. Your presence has shaped this place into a living, breathing community of care. We’re honored to walk with you into the next chapter. As we look ahead, we offer the following reflection questions as an invitation—take what’s useful, and leave the rest
Reflection Questions
- What personal season are you in right now, and what support do you need?
- Where might imperfection be inviting you into growth?
- How do you want to connect—with yourself, with others, and with community—this year?
This blog is part three of a three-part series by Dr. Bianka Hardin.