Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlyn Pabon.
Hi Caitlyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path into mental health work has always been rooted in connection, how people heal in relationship, in community, and in environments that feel safe enough to grow. That belief was shaped early on by both of my parents, who were foresters and educators. From a young age, I learned about how trees communicate and care for one another through the root wide web. Beneath the forest floor, trees share nutrients, warn each other of danger, and support weaker trees so the whole system can thrive. I was taught early that no tree survives on its own, and that lesson has deeply influenced how I understand healing.
Because of my parents, connection to animals and nature was always a part of my life. Being outdoors and around animals felt grounding and soothing long before I had the language to describe nervous system regulation or trauma. As I entered the mental health field, I carried that understanding with me and began to see how powerful nature and animal connection could be in creating safety and emotional regulation, especially for individuals who may not have always had access to supportive or calming environments.
As a clinician, I specialize in trauma informed care, including EMDR therapy, attachment based and somatic approaches. I also incorporate animal assisted therapy and nature based interventions to support regulation, connection, and healing. Over time, I began working more closely with children and families, and I saw how early experiences, particularly unaddressed stress or trauma, can shape emotional regulation, behavior, and relationships across the lifespan. Supporting parents as they seek care for their children became just as important to me as working with adults processing their own trauma.
That vision led to the creation of Loblolly Wellness Collective. What began as an individual practice has grown into a collaborative group practice in North Carolina, made up of clinicians who share a commitment to accessible, inclusive, and holistic mental health care. Our team supports children, adolescents, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC communities, with services that are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and rooted in safety.
A defining part of our work includes animal assisted therapy and nature based approaches. For many clients, especially children, connection does not always begin with words. Animals can create a sense of calm, trust, and emotional safety that allows healing to unfold more naturally. A core value of our practice is creating a space where individuals and families who may not always have access to nature or therapeutic environments are able to experience them in a safe and supported way.
Today, Loblolly Wellness Collective reflects the same values my parents taught me through the forest. Healing happens in connection. Like the root wide web, we believe people heal best when they are supported by a strong, compassionate network, because no one is meant to heal alone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, and I think that is true for most people who choose work rooted in care and service. There were moments early on where I had to learn, sometimes the hard way, how to balance holding space for others while also tending to myself. Trauma work, especially, requires a level of presence and emotional attunement that can be deeply meaningful but also demanding.
One of the biggest lessons along the way has been learning that caring for myself is not separate from caring for others. It is essential to it. Developing boundaries, slowing down when needed, and staying connected to my own supports have been just as important as any clinical training. Those lessons did not come all at once, and they are something I continue to practice.
At the same time, I have always felt deeply led to this work. My own struggles have shaped how I show up as a clinician. They have taught me empathy, patience, and humility in a way no textbook ever could. Because of that, I am able to sit with others in their pain without needing to rush them toward solutions. I understand what it feels like to navigate hard seasons while still holding hope, and that understanding informs every part of my work.
Ultimately, the challenges have strengthened my commitment to this field. They have reinforced my belief that healing is not linear, that support matters, and that people do not need to be fixed they need to be met with compassion, safety, and understanding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Loblolly Wellness Collective is a trauma informed, holistic mental health group practice rooted in the belief that healing happens best in safe, connected, and supportive environments. We provide therapy for children, adolescents, adults, and families, and we are intentional about serving diverse communities, including BIPOC populations. Our team also includes a Spanish speaking clinician, allowing us to offer culturally responsive care for members of the Latinx community.
Our clinicians bring a range of specialties and training areas to the practice. Services include trauma informed therapy, EMDR, attachment based and somatic approaches, DBT, and play therapy, depending on the clinician and the needs of the client. We are especially known for integrating animal assisted therapy and nature based interventions, offering supportive alternatives to traditional talk therapy that help foster regulation, connection, and healing, particularly for children and individuals who benefit from experiential approaches.
What sets us apart is our collaborative, collective approach to care. We take time to thoughtfully match clients with clinicians who are a good fit and view therapy as a partnership rather than something being done to someone. Brand wise, I am most proud that Loblolly Wellness Collective has grown without losing its heart. We have created a practice that feels grounded, welcoming, and human, offering access to supportive therapeutic spaces for individuals and families who may not otherwise have them.
At its core, our work is guided by the belief that no one is meant to heal alone. Whether someone is seeking support for their child, navigating life transitions, or looking for holistic mental health care in the Raleigh and Knightdale area, our goal is to help people feel seen, supported, and connected as they move forward.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, my focus is on growing thoughtfully rather than quickly. While expansion is something I may pursue in the future, my current priority is increasing the visibility of Loblolly Wellness Collective so that individuals and families in our community can more easily find and access care.
I am also deeply invested in offering supervision and training for other clinicians. Supporting therapists as they grow in confidence, ethics, and sustainability feels like a meaningful way to strengthen the field as a whole. When clinicians are well supported, clients benefit, and communities are better served.
Above all, I am focused on continuing to build a practice that stays grounded in its values as it grows. For me, the future is less about rapid expansion and more about impact, connection, and creating something that feels sustainable and true to the heart of this work.
Pricing:
- We accept major commercial insurances
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loblollywc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loblollywc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Loblolly-Wellness-Collective-PLLC-61573510716712/
