Makenzie Darling

How Did I Get Here? Let’s Get Personal…

In fourth grade, I walked dogs to pay for my own therapy. When asked why I sought help I answered “Because it ends with me.” From a young age, I knew I was destined to be the light of my ancestry and put an end to the generational trauma in my lineage. I entered into a battle for my salvation, one in which I promised myself that I would become better and not become bitter.

This journey would lead me through numerous dark nights of the soul, the loss of many relationships, and the undying quest to find my true purpose in life. Never would I have guessed that by exploring so much darkness, I would be able to unearth so much light!

By turning my pain into my power, I learned to channel my biggest challenges into service and began building positive movements that helped connect humanity. I began my career working for a documentary film studio whose films were based on the positive psychology approach to psychotherapy. I produced global film premieres around the world that inspired conversations about how to elicit more empathy, kindness, justice, and spirituality in the world. Using my background in positive psychology and my love for travel, I began hosting worldwide retreats that asked people to wander with purpose.

I turned my attention to the healing modalities of plant medicines and worked for several years helping to build a renowned school and then a seminary, which trains psychedelic-assisted therapists. I began organizing pilgrimages with an indigenous Zapotec family hosting sacred mushroom ceremonies in the foothills of Mexico.

After graduating from a two-year Seminary program, I became a Minister, while also studying other holistic healing modalities. I became certified in the Enneagram and integrative somatic trauma therapy. I also studied Internal Family Systems, Hakomi, and Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy.

I am deeply passionate about personal growth and helping to enrich people’s lives through the Enneagram, plant medicine, and transformational travel. I have joined as a partner with the Healing Arts Collective in Sonoma, CA where I collaborate with other healers and visionaries in this space. I live in San Francisco, CA, and host many events, workshops, and ceremonies within the Bay Area. Please reach out to me if you are ready to walk your path to awakening and turn your greatest pain into your greatest power!