Meditative Story The power of a simple loving presence, by Hannah Cross
Feb 17, 2026
Hannah Cross, a licensed clinical social worker who blends evidence-based therapy with compassion from her own recovery, shares how working at a youth incarceration center reshaped her approach. She describes creating a welcoming space, the talking-stick experiment, guiding a teen through panic with presence, and how simple, loving presence can open the door to deeper healing.
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Arriving At Mill Creek
- Hannah Cross recounts her first day arriving at Mill Creek Youth Center and confronting her fear of not belonging there.
- She decides to stay and rely on her training and intuition despite imposter syndrome and the facility's harsh environment.
Therapy Fails Without Safety
- Hannah describes attempting EMDR with Mark and repeatedly failing because he can't trust in that environment.
- She realizes trauma work stalls when people are still experiencing ongoing harm and instability.
Start With Simple Practices
- Try simple, low‑barrier practices like a talking stick to build connection before formal therapies.
- Use curiosity and compassion to invite participation rather than relying solely on evidence‑based protocols.