Healing "I" In Order To Return To "Us"

By Mary Katherine Hawk

The wellness industry is complex and evolving. It is not news in 2026 that there is, at times, an unfortunate air of ego that can develop among practitioners. We sometimes feel the need to show our accomplishments, list our titles and vocalize our roles. It is an interesting thing that happens though because ego can spur a reaction of insecurity on others. This can sometimes be a good thing when it inspires others to invest more in themselves and address the insecurity. It can also create a damaging environment if others don't choose to address the lack of self-love and what caused it. What ego as a practitioner or teacher can also do is create a block of vulnerability and trust. Ego can hide intention and create a false impression that leaves observers unsure whether or not to trust or be vulnerable. As a therapist, I have learned that removing myself from the healing experience of those I am working on is vital to ensuring the client is not hiding or being distracted from what they are experiencing on my table.

I have learned, as many generations of therapists have before me, that the goal is to bring that client in to a better form of life in order to make the world a better place. The whole goal is not only to heal one, but all. In healing one, we heal all. As an herbalist, my ultimate goal is to help the many realize that "all" must include the earth in the same way that one person exists in relationship to their community. There is no real separation. Our choices, our individual health is reflected in our environment and visa versa. So it is vital, as wellness practitioners that we start by removing "I" as practitioner as we assist the "all".

This may, at first, appear as if I am disappearing but really clients and students find us when they recognize us in our actions and success. Our work is seen and draws in those that are looking for us or meant for us. This is true in all aspects of life. Our environment is a reflection of our inner work. So as practitioners, if we have done our work well, we are never lost behind it or unseen.

It is important to remember that the entire purpose and higher goal of healing, in any form, is to know that we are healing all those around us when we heal ourselves. Addressing the cause of our physical, mental, and emotional disfunction finds wholeness when we return to living life with better actions and intentions. That is to say, we are never truly healed until we have brought our healed self back into the world. That is why our actions will always speak louder than words. Our actions are the true mirror of our self-realization.

When I work with clients, my hope is that I teach a person that they are responsible for healing themselves. As therapist, I create a window of less pain, more mobility, and a space to be safely vulnerable. As many know that have seen me, I try not to let clients run from the rush of emotions or pain they may feel when I target that unrealized area of tightness or restriction. I stand quiet, still, and become a little absent as the client tells me through their breath and heartbeat exactly when it's time to return to assisting them. They must step up to that task of taking the lead though. In that way, the lesson of creating new habits is conveyed and initiated even before the client leaves the table. In that moment, I remove myself and show that it is their own experience and their choice of HOW and WHEN to move forward. Actions become intentional and choices become new direction. As therapist, my hope is to ensure that the intentional actions of breath and readiness continues outside of session.

As a client makes their choice of new habits and self-realized wholeness back into the world, their actions become example and also a space for other to self-realize as well. It was never just massage therapy, herbalism, or skin care. It was always a healthier you for a healthier us. It is important that as practitioners and teachers of wellness that we remove ourselves as we work on and with others. Celebrating ourselves happens as our clients and students find their wholeness in our assisting them.