The
I Grew Strong Story
Add a sprinkle of Gloria Gaynor’s infamous survival song, two trauma therapists turned coaches, and a shit ton of personal and professional experience with toxic and manipulative relationships and you have I Grew Strong, a program developed to empower and heal those impacted by unhealthy (possibly narcissistic) relationships so they can finally break free from the repetitive cycle!
The
I Grew Strong
Story
Add a sprinkle of Gloria Gaynor’s infamous survival song, two trauma therapists turned coaches, and a shit ton of personal and professional experience with toxic and manipulative relationships and you have I Grew Strong, a program developed to empower and heal those impacted by unhealthy (possibly narcissistic) relationships so they can finally break free from the repetitive cycle!
Hi! We are Laura Clay & Ali Clark, the founders of I Grew Strong, both therapists and survivors.
We have been working for years with clients in our therapy practices who came to us wanting to figure out a way to feel better about themselves and be able to have healthy relationships. They wondered “What is wrong with me? Why do I keep attracting the same type of person!” We could relate because we have been there too!
We did our own work, read hundreds of books, listened to podcasts AND paid a lot of money to become trained therapists – each in separate cities, 1000’s of miles apart! When we met, it was like we had the same story and same passion for shining a light on the real problem and coming up with a solution to find relief. We put our tools, approaches, knowledge and experience together to create something really amazing!
Together, we are like unicorns & rainbows
About Us – Another ‘I’ In Survivor
Hi there, brave soul! I’m Laura Clay
I too am a fighter, a warrior, a survivor – like you, another one who has put the ‘I’ in survivor. Gloria Gaynor’s song, I Will Survive, has given me strength and hope when I needed it the most. My life experiences have taught me a lot and allowed me to better help the people that I work with. If you get to know me, you will learn that I also have an uncanny ability to ‘look on the bright side’ of even the worst things.
My other identity is an art psychotherapist, working in private practice and specializing in helping people become their best selves. It is a passion of mine to watch my clients see their own strengths and abilities so they can start making choices that change their lives for the better. It is my calling!
Narcissistic abuse is an epidemic! I Grew Strong is ready to help you really live your life.
Learn more about Laura and I Grew Strong on the Chicago Psychology Podcast. Click here to listen.
Hey there, strong one! I’m Ali Clark
I am a warrior, fighter and survivor. Also a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. And I have been in a few too many situations where I would say, “This is NOT what I signed up for!” The story I told myself was that everyone around me was in healthy relationships and I didn’t qualify! But then… with that inkling of inner knowing that I could barely hear, I worked hard, surprised myself and am now living a life I truly love.
I believe each and every woman should get the chance to really hear their true and beautiful self, and find true happiness! With Laura, I’m on a mission to educate and support you in finding a more true you. I am so excited to work with Laura… to offer our collective knowledge, skills and experience to you!
It’s time for you to come out on the other side, stronger than ever!
Please note: I Grew Strong is not counseling or psychotherapy. While our experience as therapists is obviously useful to help people, we will be functioning as educators, coaches, guides, creative spirits and sometimes as cheerleaders (well… maybe not actual cheerleaders but definitely the ‘We believe in you, we know you can do it, rooter-on’ type of leaders).
We are here to support you
You’re in the right place
OUR NAME
Why “I Grew Strong?”
I Grew Strong’s name came directly from the famous song I Will Survive. This song has been helping women just like you move on from relationships that are not healthy, pick themselves up again, and learn to thrive in life, NOT just survive.
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinkin’ I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along
Gloria Gaynor inspires us to reach deep down, find the strength and inner knowing so we can make meaningful, positive changes in our lives. She knows and we know…
You’ve got life to live and love to give!
I GREW STRONG’S MISSION
Educate and heal those who have been in toxic and manipulative relationships, possibly with a narcissist.
By learning to trust themselves and become empowered
I Grew Strong’s mission is to change your negative self talk or inner critic (the lingering narcissist’s negative impact), learn to NOT doubt and second guess yourself all the time and to know the red flags and signs of an unhealthy relationship. We help you have the power to say ‘no’ and run when you need to run. We give you the tools you need to set boundaries that you can actually enforce. We help you break down the walls you have built to protect yourself so that you can open yourslf up to finding real, authentic love and joy.
I Grew Strong’s goals are to empower you to keep doing it on your own, even after the program has ended. There will be work to do and it won’t all be easy (or even fun) – we can’t lie about that. It might even be scary sometimes. But do you want to keep living your life the way you have been? You came to this site for a reason. You want something to change. Let us just remind you -You are a badass survivor! After all, you have a been through more difficult and challenging circumstances. FYI – We have taken the scariness and the hard stuff into consideration so we made sure there will be some laughs, fun and the ability to work at a gentle pace..
WHY DO I DO THIS KIND OF WORK?
“Soooo many of my therapy clients came to me believing they weren’t good enough, smart enough, pretty enough… I started to see a pattern, relating back to numerous toxic and manipulative relationships! I want to help more people learn how to heal and finally KNOW they are more than good enough.”
Laura Clay
WHY DO I DO THIS KIND OF WORK?
“Soooo many of my therapy clients came to me believing they weren’t good enough, smart enough, pretty enough… I started to see a pattern, relating back to numerous toxic and manipulative relationships! I want to help more people learn how to heal and finally KNOW they are more than good enough.”
Laura Clay
WHY DO I DO THIS KIND OF WORK?
“I was anxious, sad, over-extended, ashamed and exhausted in past toxic and manipulative relationships. You wouldn’t have known it by looking at me, I was lonely! As a therapist I’ve learned I wasn’t alone and this type of experience is far too common. My hope is that every woman who needs to know this, finds the support she needs.”
Ali Clark
WHY DO I DO THIS KIND OF WORK?
“I was anxious, sad, over-extended, ashamed and exhausted in past toxic and manipulative relationships. You wouldn’t have known it by looking at me, I was lonely! As a therapist I’ve learned I wasn’t alone and this type of experience is far too common. My hope is that every woman who needs to know this, finds the support she needs.”
Ali Clark
Explore
Finding More Me
A 6-week soulful and strategic program that will teach you:
When you have confidence in yourself and clarity of your worth
There is no limit to the happiness and abundance you can attract into your life.
When you have confidence in yourself and clarity of your worth
There is no limit to the happiness and abundance you can attract into your life.
