August, 2023 | Issue 27

Follow us on Social Media

The Heart Leaf Center on Facebook and @heartleafcenter on Instagram

THE HEART LEAF CENTER SPOTLIGHT:

Introducing Madeline Cutrone, a Clinical Mental Health Intern from Adams State University.

Why did you decide to become a counselor? 

Since high school, the science of biology and medicine fascinated me. In college this led me to study Public Health and Toxicology.  When I graduated college, I started my career working on clinical research trials.  While I found my work deeply interesting, I felt unfulfilled.  I knew I needed to find a career where I would be engaging directly with the individuals while making a positive impact on the greater community. However, it was not until I started seeing my own counselor and experienced how genuinely helpful the sessions were to navigating life’s many challenges that I found my passion.  I started working at a Behavioral Hospital while pursuing my degree which only reinforced my decision to become a counselor.  It is amazing to see the resiliency and growth individuals are able to undergo when they put their minds to it! 



What do you enjoy the most about working with children or why do you want to work with children? 

As the oldest child of four siblings, I spent a lot of time around children.  Nearly every job I had, with the exception of my brief career in research, involved working with children.  That being said, I honestly was unsure which population I wanted to work with until I had my own child in 2020.  Becoming a mother changed me profoundly for the better.  More than any job, being a mother and navigating all the joys, challenges, hardships and excitement of motherhood solidified my desire to work with children.  I feel I can also now understand the parents perspective in a whole new way as well. 

What do you like to do in your free time or what do you do for Play? 

When I am not running after my toddler, I love doing anything in nature. I would say in particular I love running, considering I do this nearly everyday.  I also love bike riding, rock climbing (although I mostly go indoor), cross country skiing and hiking.  My long term goal is  to hike sections of the Appalachian trail. Nothing makes me happier than being in the mountains!  I also enjoy reading and playing board games with my family and friends. Another thing I do in my free time is I enjoy listening to podcasts and learning about holistic health. I would love to find a way to incorporate this into my mental health counseling practice someday! 

Written by Madeline Cutrone

It is easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of life that we are part of nature. Children can be a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of life and can connect us back to our natural selves. They demand movement. They demand self expression. The world of a child is experienced and processed through play.  As innately natural creatures, it is vital for children to spend time outside.  They need to feel the ground under their feet and touch the trees with their hands.  Rocks become building blocks and pets.  Sticks become shovels, writing utensils or “tree whackers”.  Water play soothes their spirits. Creatively is born from the freedom to explore the world. In the words of Albert Einstein, “a true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” There is so much happening in their minds during the simple act of play.  Movement builds their tiny muscles and extinguishes some of that relentless energy.  Sunlight facilitates a natural circadian rhythm for healthy sleep.  Food, unprocessed and from the earth, allows for healthy development of the body and mind. It fuels another day of play and exploration.  Survival in this world can distract us from what it really means to be alive.  Here is a gentle reminder to connect with the earth, let children play freely, and appreciate the moments here. 

My thoughts in writing this passage did not come easily.  I wanted to convey the beauty of allowing children to connect with nature during play, but I also respect the limitations society imposes on that.  There is so much we encounter everyday that can take us away from our roots.  This distraction can look like the content we digest (like the news), the products we use, the food we eat or even our jobs that necessitate us spending long hours inside.  Being mindful of this and taking small steps can be a wonderful way to begin navigating toward a more authentic life. The HeartLeaf Center is a beautiful organization that allows children to process the world through play.  There is nothing more natural than this and I am so excited to be part of the team.  As a mother myself, I am very passionate about not only working with children, but sharing the joy I have found through living as harmoniously with nature as I can.  I look forward to my journey here!



Happy Don't Be a Bully Month!

August 1st - 31st, 2023