Rising Rooted

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It’s been a little while since I’ve written here consistently. Part of that pause was me listening to my own advice about stepping back from the hustle and making choices that support balance. I’ve been pouring energy into many different creative projects, and recently I decided it was time to gather those threads back together. Rather than stretching myself across multiple platforms, I’m merging what I was building on The Wolfskin Project’s Substack into this space at Rising Rooted. It feels more authentic—and more sustainable—to have one home for my ideas.

You might notice that the energy, language, and focus of the blog will feel a little different moving forward. I’ll still be sharing therapeutic strategies and psychoeducation, but I’ve also decided to be braver here. This means writing more openly about my own messy human experiences and my opinions on mental health, healing, and the systems that shape us. For years, I absorbed the message that as a therapist I should be a neutral, objective presence. But the truth is, I’m a relational therapist. I believe it matters for potential clients (and anyone finding their way here) to hear my real voice, to get a sense of how I see the world. That honesty can help people decide if I’m the right therapist for them.

What I began on The Wolfskin Project—writing about eco-spirituality, systems critique, life and self-crafting, and soul remembering—are still the processes I believe in, both as a healer and as a human. So those themes will continue to live here alongside the clinical and the personal.

Over the next two weeks, I’ll be moving my Substack archive into this space: one post a day for the next 13 days. (If you followed me on Substack, note that days 12 and 13 will include brand-new pieces that haven’t been published before.) After that, things will settle into a more natural rhythm.

So, consider this a re-introduction. This blog is shifting into a truer reflection of the way I work, think, and live. With that, I’ll start by sharing the very first piece from my Substack archive—a post about my own use of AI, and how I’ve been navigating its place in my work and creativity.

I wanted to take a moment to be fully transparent with you:

I use AI to help me create these blog posts.

Not to write for me, but to help organize, edit, and bring clarity to the ideas I want to share with you.

In a time when the ethics of AI are still unfolding—and when trust matters more than ever—I believe it’s important to be open about how I’m navigating it.

How I Use AI

• I bring all the ideas.Everything you read here starts from my own thoughts, stories, questions, and reflections.
• Sometimes I use AI to brainstorm.If I’m stuck, I might ask for title ideas, outlines, or ways to frame a concept.
• I use AI to organize my messy mind.I’m someone who loves writing in theory—but struggles with grammar, formatting, and editing. (For proof: I have two fully written but unpublished novels stalled out on my computer!)
• I edit and refine every line myself.After using AI to clean up structure or wording, I go over everything carefully—adding nuance, making corrections, and putting my own heart back into the work.
• I view AI as a tool, not a voice.What you’re reading is always filtered through my own critical thinking, emotional truth, and lived experience.

Why I Choose to Use It

The short answer? Time.

I’m currently:

• The inexperienced mother to an 18-month-old adorable menace.
• A therapist
• In the final throes of building a house
• Dedicated to my own messy and marvelous journey of health, healing and a life well lived.

I love writing.

But more than that, I love sharing ideas, insights, and invitations for reflection.

If I had unlimited time, I’d edit every post by hand for weeks.

But right now, this is how I can show up honestly and sustainably.

This blog isn’t about showcasing literary work.

It’s about building a hearth for community, reflection, and soul growth.

And AI—carefully and critically used—is helping me keep that fire lit.

Ethical Concerns I’m Holding

I deeply value human creativity.

I want authors, artists, and thinkers to be paid and credited fairly.

I believe AI should never be used to erase human labour, steal voices, or replace relationships.

This is why I’m being upfront with you here—and why I’ll continue to be mindful about how I use these tools.

I also know that AI requires critical thinking.

As a psychotherapist, I can clearly see both sides:

• The potential good:
  • Increased efficiency for small, heart-led businesses
  • Greater access to knowledge and creativity
  • (If society rises to the occasion) the possibility of basic income and less grind-based survival
• The real dangers:
  • Psychological detachment and intellectual laziness if we over-rely on AI
  • Loss of human employment without meaningful safety nets
  • Increased disinformation and erosion of authentic human voices
  • Devastating environmental Impacts

Which is why I always fact-check, think critically, and stay in relationship with my own creative process—even when using tools like this.

(And yes… it’s a little weird to be writing a reflection on AI… assisted by AI. Welcome to the paradox.)

Welcome to the new blog. I’m Rachel, and I’m so happy you’re here with me.

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If this spoke to something in you, there are a few paths you can follow from here:

Each door leads somewhere different. It is my hope that all of them lead back to you.

<3 Rachel