We were lucky to catch up with Lily Vandyk recently and have shared our conversation below.

LILY, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

In 2019, before coronavirus had overtaken our lives, I decided to take the risk, start the business, live the dream. The dream being to help those suffering from mental health issues, specifically teens and young adults. I had spent the last 25 years battling with my own mental health struggles, finally finding solace in adopting a new lifestyle, filled with routine and ritual, peace and tranquility, even in the midst storms. I learned in life, I am not the ocean’s waves, I am not the eye of the storm, I am not the strong winds, I am Lily and I am sitting on the shore, observing. I can chose to engage with the water with the safety of the shoreline all around me. I am made up of many parts, some parts have been pushed down deep in the ocean, but I am learning to befriend them, bring them up for air. I am learning all of my parts deserve the chance to be heard and to be taken by the wind and released. Healing from my pain motivated me to live the dream, to listen to others and to give their parts a chance to speak. I started Tranquil Trails, LLC in November of 2019. Helping others heal gives me the air I need to breathe and to keep moving on my own journey, down a tranquil trail.

LILY, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Tranquil Trails offers individual and group mental health care. We use a number of modalities including trauma informed care, DBT, CBT, IFS, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, therapeutic creative arts, and mindfulness and self compassion.
We provide in person and virtual care to youth and “adult youth”. Nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, we offer a safe and confidential place to explore a variety of topics, including LGBTQIA+ issues, neurodiversity, life transitions, mood disorders, stress, burnout, college counseling, identity formation and shadow work.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most helpful thing I have heard as a therapist is to listen with your heart. Listen for the why, why do they want you to know what they are telling you. Why is this important for me to know? Another important lesson is to have the client describe how they would act, be different if the problem wasn’t there. Visualization is so important.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would chose the heartache I experienced all over again. I would not be the same person I am today without my story. If I didn’t have that story, I would not feel the immense yearning to help others. I want people to know I understand, we may not have the same story, but feelings are universal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tranquiltrailspgh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquiltrailspgh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559947157324
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tranquil-trails-pittsburgh-3
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tranquil-trails-llc-pittsburgh-pa/714587