Less is more

In 2015, licensed clinical mental health counselor Cait Murphy ’01 opened her private practice, Eden Living, which focuses on a holistic approach to mental health. Inspired by her clients and her own experiences, she recently published Why Are People Turning Green—Seven Stories of Illness and Recovery: The Impact of Toxins and Chemicals on the Mind and Body.

“The seven people presented in the book described symptoms that commonly bring people to seek treatment in medical offices and mental health practices across the country,” says Murphy, whose drive to help others goes back to childhood. “After months of frustration, unsuccessful results, and financial expense, these people took control of their lives and opted to heal themselves by avoiding culturally prominent chemicals and toxins.”

When it comes to physical and mental health, Murphy contends, sometimes less is more. “There is a common misconception that products sold to us are safe, and that there is a pill for everything that ails us,” she says. “It is my hope that after reading the stories and research in this book, people will begin to consider perhaps it is not the pill that we add, but the toxin that we eliminate, to achieve a better sense of health and wellbeing.”

In addition to helping others lead cleaner, healthier lives, Murphy has a passion for art, music, nature, and gardening. For more about Murphy and her practice, visit www.ednlvng.com. Her book is available on Amazon.com.