From Therapy to Something More

Waves of Change Counseling and Healing was born from a journey that was never linear—but always intentional.

My dream of becoming a mental health therapist didn’t fully take shape until my mid-twenties. Before that, I wore many hats, explored different paths, and learned—sometimes the hard way—what didn’t fit. That journey was challenging, humbling, and deeply formative. It shaped not only who I am as a clinician, but how I believe care should be delivered.

Like many therapists, my early years were spent navigating the demanding world of community mental health and provisional licensure. That work is not for the weak or faint of heart. It requires resilience, advocacy, and a deep belief in yourself—especially when others may not always see your potential. Those experiences challenged me, strengthened me, and pushed me to become the best practitioner I could be. They also ignited a desire to do things differently.

In 2022, I was faced with a defining moment: choosing between my full-time job and my children. The answer was clear. That moment became the catalyst for starting my own private practice—one rooted in values, balance, integrity, and humanity. What began as a solo mental health practice allowed me to learn the foundations of business ownership while staying grounded in meaningful clinical work.

As the practice grew, so did the vision. Within six months, both clientele and team members expanded—but I always knew mental health alone wasn’t the full picture.

What good is mental health support if there isn’t a place to practice it?

Behind the scenes, I was blueprinting something more holistic—a space where therapy, movement, reflection, and community could coexist. That vision became Waves of Change Studio.

I was intentional about where this space would live. Our community didn’t need another dollar store, liquor store, or pizza shop. What we needed was a place to pause. A place to connect. A place to step out of the noise, even for just one hour a week, and tend to ourselves—our bodies, our minds, our nervous systems.

Staying close to the Franklinville area mattered. If the mission was to serve this community, the space needed to live here too. In February 2025, when 1088 Delsea Drive became available, I knew immediately—it was home.

In my clinical work, I’ve always encouraged clients to explore healing beyond the therapy room: yoga, meditation, journaling, Pilates, sound healing, and other mind-body practices. These experiences support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and reconnection with self. I wanted to create access to those opportunities in one welcoming, non-intimidating space.

Yoga, in particular, holds a special place in this vision. At Waves of Change, we intentionally return yoga to its roots—not as performance, competition, or pressure—but as a grounding, centering practice. Yoga is about breath and body working together. It’s about learning to release thoughts, build awareness, and cultivate compassion for ourselves.

My own relationship with yoga wasn’t always easy. I struggled to find spaces that honored traditional practice while integrating somatic healing. Many classes felt rushed, intimidating, or comparison-driven. I often felt pressure to keep up, frustration with my body, and fear of being judged. Eventually, yoga became more anxiety-inducing than healing—and I stepped away.

That experience shaped everything we offer today.

Waves of Change Counseling and Healing exists to be different. We are a space where you don’t have to perform, push, or prove. A space where healing is slow, intentional, and accessible. A space that honors the whole person—mind, body, and lived experience.

Here, therapy and wellness are not separate—they are woven together.

Healing happens in waves, and we’re honored to be here with you through every ebb and flow.

-Alicia Day