We were lucky to catch up with René Connolly recently and have shared our conversation below.

René, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment in my professional journey came after the birth of my second child when my family moved to Hawaii. At that time, I was already deeply committed to working with men who used power and control in their intimate relationships, but something shifted within me. The intense need for personal healing led me on a transformative quest. I immersed myself in practices like breathwork, cacao ceremonies, somatic movement, and plant medicine. It was during this period of self-discovery and deep healing that I realized the profound potential of these integrative therapies—not just for personal growth, but for the way they could shift the dynamics of mental health support.

This revelation altered the course of my career. I began working with an incredible organization called Mom’s on Mushrooms, where I support mothers in learning about the sacred and intentional use of microdosing. Through this work, I help individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more find a new path to wellness. The power of these alternative therapies, combined with my professional training, opened my eyes to the healing that can come from blending traditional and non-traditional mental health practices.

Now, in addition to my roll with the Moms on Mushrooms team, I am also fortunate to be working under the guidance of a supervisor here in Hawai’i who specializes in integrative therapies, further honing my skills and expanding my understanding of holistic healing. What began as a personal quest for healing has now become the foundation of my professional work, blending my passion for mental health with the transformative potential of integrative therapies.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a mental health counselor with a diverse background rooted in both traditional and integrative healing practices. I began my career working with men who use power and control in their intimate relationships, as well as middle and high school students, educating them about the warning signs of unhealthy dynamics in relationships.

After relocating to Hawai’i, I embarked on a personal healing journey that led me to explore and integrate a variety of healing modalities, including breathwork, guided imagery, mantras, somatic movement, and plant medicine. Drawing on my own experiences, I now combine these practices with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to offer a holistic approach to mental health counseling. This integrative framework empowers my clients to create meaningful shifts in their lives and achieve a deep sense of healing.

A major focus of my work is supporting mothers, a group I believe faces unique and often overwhelming challenges. Juggling the demands of family, work, and personal life, mothers often put everyone else’s needs before their own, leading to burnout, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self. As a mother of two, I recognize the importance of addressing the deep emotional and physical strain that comes with caregiving, and I am passionate about providing a space for mothers to heal, grow, and reclaim their personal power. I offer a compassionate, supportive environment where mothers can rediscover their vitality, heal from trauma, and reconnect with their inner strength. I also love to educate mothers on the sacred and intentional use of plant medicine, such as microdosing, to address anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other challenges, promoting growth and emotional well-being.

By integrating these healing practices with my clinical expertise, my aim is to create a space for lasting change—empowering individuals, particularly mothers, to feel whole, balanced, and equipped to navigate life’s complexities. My work is rooted in the belief that true healing comes from nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, and I am dedicated to helping my clients live more peaceful, fulfilled lives.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Yes, there is a story in my journey that illustrates my resilience, and it’s rooted in the many hardships I’ve faced and overcome. I was raised by a single mother who struggled with alcoholism and was abusive, and my father was also an alcoholic. The environment was challenging, and by the time I was 14, I felt the need to take control of my own life, moving out and becoming legally emancipated by 16. Despite the chaos and instability, I found a way to survive.

But life didn’t stop throwing challenges my way. My brother was tragically killed by his wife while I was undergoing in vitro fertilization, and then my husband and I faced the heartbreaking loss of one twin during pregnancy. Each of these moments could have easily spiraled me into a life of addiction, given the trauma I’d endured and the coping mechanisms I witnessed growing up.

Yet, instead of succumbing to those destructive patterns, I found the strength to break the cycle. I leaned into the pain and worked tirelessly to heal—through therapy, self-care, and eventually discovering integrative healing practices. This journey of healing not only transformed my own life, but it also fueled my passion for supporting others. Now, as a counselor, I use my story and my resilience to help others facing their own struggles. I believe that trauma doesn’t have to define us; it can be the catalyst for growth, healing, and ultimately, a life lived with purpose.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes, I can share a story of a time when I had to pivot in my career, and it’s one that taught me a lot about the connection between leadership, mental health, and personal growth.

While I was in grad school, I took a job in retail to pay the bills, never expecting it to become such a significant part of my journey. What started as a position at a makeup counter quickly escalated—I moved up from there to become a shoe department manager, then a clothing store manager, and eventually a regional brand leader overseeing multiple locations. In each role, I was confronted with managing diverse personalities and navigating the challenges that came with leading people in a high-pressure environment.

Despite being deeply immersed in retail, I always felt the pull toward mental health and understood how much our mental well-being impacts the way we perform in any role, whether in retail or any other career. As a regional leader, I created a comprehensive managers’ training guide for the entire organization, focusing on how to manage different personality types effectively. I wanted to teach others how to foster healthy communication, resolve conflicts, and build supportive team dynamics—skills that are essential not just in retail but in life.

Although retail was a big part of my life for several years, I realized my true calling was in mental health and personal growth. The experience of working in retail allowed me to see first-hand how much emotional health affects performance and morale, which ultimately inspired me to pivot fully into my counseling career. That guide I created was an early reflection of how my passion for mental health would influence my professional trajectory, and it helped me realize that no matter where you are, there’s always room to integrate care and empathy into leadership and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hiibh.com/therapy

Image Credits

Meri Hoffman