Breaking Generational Cycles and Healing Trauma – Exclusive Interview With April Wazny

April Wazny is a trauma-informed therapist and founder of Winora’s Hope Counseling. She’s passionate about walking alongside those who are hurting, helping individuals and families heal from generational trauma and reclaim their wholeness. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Psychology at Liberty University, April’s work explores the lasting impact of inherited trauma and the power of safe, compassionate connection in the healing process. Through both her writing and clinical work, she creates space for people to feel seen, supported, and empowered in their journey.

April Wazny LCPC, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Finding Her Way: How Faith, Resilience, and Purpose Shaped April Wazny’s Journey

April Wazny’s story is one of profound resilience, marked by trauma, grounded in faith, and fueled by a deep desire to break generational cycles.

Her journey began in hardship. From the age of four, she endured extensive trauma that left lasting emotional and psychological impacts. It was during these early, painful years that she first began to call out to God, asking for His protection. That spiritual search led her to become a Christian at just eight years old, a turning point that planted the seeds of hope and faith she would come to rely on in the years ahead.

But faith didn’t erase the difficulties. Life remained challenging, and April continued to face significant hardships. Against the wishes of her family, April reconnected with her estranged mother at age 15. As a result, she not only became homeless, but she was also forced to leave her high school and get a job to provide for herself.

Despite the odds, she held tightly to her faith, which became her sustaining source of strength.

At 21, she gave birth to her first child and was determined to give him a better life than she had known. At one point, she considered joining the military to provide stability and opportunity for them both. However, after learning that deployment could require her to give up legal custody, and with no reliable family support, she chose another path.

April earned her GED and made the bold decision to pursue a college education, something that once felt like an unreachable luxury. It was during those studies that she discovered psychology, a field that not only offered her a career path but also became a mirror for her healing. As she learned about trauma, family systems, and human behavior, she began to see more clearly the brokenness that surrounded her childhood, the pain her parents carried, and the generational suffering that shaped her early life.

Rather than becoming bitter, April chose empathy. “They were doing the best they knew how,” she reflects. That insight fueled her determination to do better, not just for her children, but for herself and those she would one day serve.

Her journey into psychology became more than academic; it became personal. It became a purpose.

A Safe Space for Healing: Inside the Work of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor April Wazny, MA, LCPC

With over a decade of experience supporting individuals, children, and families, April has dedicated her career to walking alongside people as they navigate life’s most challenging moments. Her work is rooted in compassion, authenticity, and the belief that healing begins when people feel truly seen, heard, and supported.

“I believe healing happens in safe spaces,” April says, and that belief guides everything she does.

Whether she’s working with a child processing trauma or an adult breaking the cycles of generational pain, April is intentional about creating an environment where clients feel accepted, understood, and empowered to grow.

“My approach is nonjudgmental and deeply relational,” she explains. “I work to build strong therapeutic alliances, because I believe meaningful healing happens through connection.”

Specializing in trauma recovery, April works with individuals navigating both recent and long-standing emotional wounds, including those rooted in generational or collective trauma.

“I utilize a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches,” she says. “Each session is tailored to the client’s unique needs and lived experience. My goal isn’t just to treat symptoms, it’s to help people reconnect with their inner resilience and move forward with strength and clarity.”

Beyond her clinical practice, April is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Psychology, with a research focus on trauma and intergenerational healing. Her academic work complements her therapeutic approach, as she aims to expand both understanding and access to trauma-informed care, particularly within underserved communities where support is often limited or stigmatized.

Outside of the therapy room, April finds balance and joy in nature and movement. Whether hiking, biking, traveling, or working out, she prioritizes self-care and time with those she loves, including her family, close friends, and her beloved dog.

At the heart of her work is a simple but powerful mission: to offer people a place where they can share their story, feel safe doing so, and begin to heal.

Tell us about the Story Behind Winora’s Hope Counseling and what makes it unique in the field of counseling?

Healing Through Legacy: The Heart Behind Winora’s Hope Counseling

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, my work in trauma recovery is not just a profession; it’s deeply personal. I founded Winora’s Hope Counseling in honor of my late mother, Winora, a woman who lived with the enduring impact of severe trauma and carried the unresolved pain of wounds that never fully healed.

My mother carried deep emotional scars and often lived without hope that healing was possible. Yet despite everything she endured, her journey moved me in ways she never realized. Watching her struggle lit a fire in me to understand, to break generational cycles, and to support others walking similar paths.

Her story became the catalyst for my calling. I saw firsthand how trauma can reshape lives, not only for individuals but across entire family systems. That experience gave me a unique kind of empathy, one that extends beyond clinical training and into lived understanding.

At Winora’s Hope Counseling, I combine professional expertise with deep personal compassion. I understand how heavy trauma can be, and I also believe healing is possible. My practice is grounded in that belief and in the power of safe, supportive relationships where people feel truly seen, heard, and never alone.

 Winora’s Hope is both a tribute to a life marked by resilience and a mission to provide others with the healing and hopes that once felt out of reach. If you would like to know more, check out my website.

What’s next for you in your career?

I’m planning to complete my Ph.D. in the spring of 2027, and while I’m not exactly sure what comes after that, I know I’ll continue doing what I’m passionate about: researching, educating, and offering hope to those I work with. The rest, I’ll figure out day by day.

In the future, I’d love to write a book or develop educational workshops and parent mentoring programs. My goal is to reach more families and help parents understand how to break generational patterns, build stronger connections, and begin the process of healing, both for themselves and for the next generation.

Visit my website for more info!

Read more from April Wazny LCPC