August 12, 2025
Events | Mental Health
Therapist Hannah Schonewill on the Power of Honest Connection
At The Happy Hour, we believe that growth happens when we feel seen, heard, and safe enough to speak honestly. That’s exactly the space Hannah Schonewill, LCSW and Lauren Kelley, LCSW create in Finding Your Voice, our newest group therapy offering focused on emotional awareness, relational insight, and real-time reflection.
We sat down with Hannah to learn more about her journey as a therapist, what makes this group different, and why being fully yourself—with others—is a skill worth practicing.
From Helper to Therapist: Hannah’s Why
“I’ve always been the helper friend,” Hannah says with a smile. “It came naturally to me.” But it wasn’t until she experienced therapy herself that she realized how powerful it is to name what you’re feeling. “It was freeing,” she says. “It gave me language and clarity, and now, I always start with empathy. I know what it’s like to sit on the other side of the room.”
That sense of understanding infuses her work with clients, especially in group spaces, where honesty and curiosity are at the heart of transformation.
What Finding Your Voice Really Means
If you’ve ever felt like you lost touch with your own voice—especially in caregiving roles, transitions, or anxiety-inducing seasons—you’re not alone.
“Many people, especially new mothers or those dealing with anxiety, lose their sense of self,” Hannah says. “Everything becomes about what someone else needs, and not what you need or what you’re feeling.”
Finding Your Voice is about coming back to the present moment. “It’s a space where you can name what’s on your mind, without filtering, and practice showing up authentically,” she explains. “It’s not about the life you live outside of the group, it’s about how you relate to the people right there in the room, in real time.”
How This Group Differs From Therapy or Support Groups
Hannah is no stranger to leading groups; she also facilitates Neurodivergent support groups at The Happy Hour studio. But Finding Your Voice lives in a different lane.
“This isn’t advice-giving. It’s not past-focused. It’s not about diagnoses,” she says. “This group is rooted in the present. It’s about how you feel around others, how you show up in relationships, and learning what’s underneath your reactions.”
That might sound intense, but it’s also incredibly freeing.
“You get to strip away the performance. People often see parts of themselves reflected in others, or even realize a group member reminds them of someone from their personal life,” Hannah shares. “That gives you a chance to work through those dynamics in the here and now.”
What You’ll Experience in the Room
- Immediate feedback from others—honest, thoughtful, and growth-oriented
- Surprising reflections, as fellow group members mirror people from your personal life
- Space to be raw, real, and fully yourself without judgment
- Tools for emotional regulation and navigating hard conversations
- Deeper awareness of how you show up in relationship, with others and yourself
“The group becomes a lab for connection,” Hannah says. “You’ll learn how to identify what you’re feeling, communicate that clearly, and make room for your own needs.”
Creating Safety for Honest Growth
One of the most important parts of any group experience is emotional safety, and that’s something Hannah intentionally builds from day one.
“We establish mutual goals, boundaries, and a shared commitment to showing up for each other,” she says. “We remind people they’re not alone. Being understood is so powerful, and just being told that what you’re feeling is real can be life-changing.”
Final Words from Hannah
“It’s totally normal to feel nervous before joining a group like this,” Hannah says. “But our job as group leaders is to create a safe space where people feel understood, supported, and never alone in what they’re processing.”
If you’re wondering whether Finding Your Voice is for you, Hannah offers this gentle nudge:
“This group is for you if you want to gain confidence in how you engage with others and how you regulate your emotions.”
And one more truth she wants you to know:
“The most surprising part? You might see parts of your personal life in people you’ve just met. That can feel jarring at first, but with support, it becomes the very thing that helps you and your relationships grow.”
Finding Your Voice
Led by: Hannah Schonewill, LMSW & Lauren Kelley, LCSW
Where: The Happy Hour Studio
Format: Weekly processing group focused on emotional presence, authentic connection, and personal insight.
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