"At a very young age I had passion for helping others and I knew that one day I would in a major way. In 2002, I went to The Ohio State University (OSU) totally uncertain of my career goal. I sat with an advisor in attempt to identify this mystery career so that I could declare a major. I asked about her advisory job which seemed like my ideal job: helping assist and guide the somewhat lost to find their path in life. The answer I received detailed that she had taken a nontraditional path to her career. She reached her destination seemingly without a blueprint. Based on the outcomes of testing, I was encouraged to pursue nursing or jounalism which just didn't stick. After a couple of years and an undeclared major, I examined my transcripts and realized I performed best in sociology so, sociology it was; I needed to graduate. Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes of human behavior. What was I going to do with this, become a sociologist?

Post-graduation I settled on a management position with a collection agency. I decided that I would never return home, build a life in Ohio, and work with no interest in furthering my education beyond my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Life took an unexpected turn as my father passed away and I was led back home to Chicago. Shortly after my return home, at the young age of 22, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The illness that dwelled in a lump was dismissed by a top OSU physician and later discovered at the Cook County Department of Public Health in Chicago. Two years later while in active treatment for the fight of my life, I made a decision to enroll in a Master’s program for mental health community counseling.

This was an understandably bold choice considering the circumstances, but I knew this was the path to my purpose and therefore my destiny. This degree gave me something to fight for. Thus far, I had always been a confidant to many people which instilled confidence in my career choice. With God by my side, I battled aggressive metastatic breast cancer while actively pursuing my master's degree. These events ignited the fighter in me and empowered me to follow the higher purpose and calling that was over my life. As I continued cancer treatment, I found myself fueled by assisting others and decided to join a group of young adults in leading a teen bible study at my church every Wednesday right after chemotherapy. I became dedicated to serving youth through my faith and belief in the Most High God. I went on to work with children and teenagers of all ages and this population became one of my specialties within the field of mental health.

As a breast cancer survivor, and a young therapist, I set out to make a difference in the lives that God sent my way. I felt so motivated and spirit led that not even the sky was limit with God working through me and there was never an environment or situation that I felt I could not handle. I committed myself to the servanthood of others in the form of a direct service provider, a deliverer of resources and referrals, or as an indirect intercessor lifting names and situations up to the court of heaven. Following a tragedic experience that left me filled with grief and the loss of my fiance, I realized by the grace of God that I always knew my purpose, an effective helper. Counseling is the vehicle served as a catalyst in helping individuals and families through different issues and situations to become the best versions of themselves. I am walking swiftly in this purpose and with my obedience to God in January 2022, Purposed Peace Counseling LLC was birthed."

- Danielle C. Washington