Hillary E. Catrow, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist who provides a body-based approach to reducing the impact of trauma on the lives of survivors. Hillary advocates for the use of trauma-
informed, affordable, and accessible acupuncture treatments as a method of social justice and community building. She is also the owner of Quil Studio on Chicago’s north side and works closely with non-profits and corporations to develop acupuncture and self-care programming for their clients and employees. Since 2014, Hillary has volunteered with the Marjorie Kovler Center, providing free weekly community acupuncture treatments for survivors of torture and trauma.
Since graduating with her masters from National University of Health Sciences, Hillary has done extensive training in somatic touch techniques, specifically Tao of Trauma which overlays the body’s natural trauma recovery response with Chinese Medicine Five Element theory. This approach helps patients repair their connection with their body to reduce post-trauma symptoms and increase self-regulation. Hillary also completed trauma leadership training with Acupuncturist Without Borders and she is currently working toward her Somatic Experiencing Practitioner certification.
Prior to beginning her acupuncture training, Hillary completed her undergraduate studies at DePaul University in Ethics with a focus on community development and environmental sustainability, which helped shape her belief that healthy communities require healthy individuals. It is from this background that Hillary became inspired to immerse herself in natural medicine with its holistic, patient-centric and trauma-informed worldview.
When Hillary is not sticking people with needles, you can find her walking her pup, Rhubie, along beautiful Lake Michigan, hiking, and road-tripping with her husband.
Q: Tell us how you got into acupuncture.
A: I got into acupuncture during a time in my life that I was doing a lot of self evaluation and needing a new direction. Part of that process included looking at how I was spending my money in the hopes of finding out what I valued most in my life. Turns out, a large portion of my very small non-profit salary was going towards my own acupuncture and body based healing because it worked. A light bulb went off and I said, “Yes, this is what I’m going to do.”
Q: What drew you to volunteer at the Marjorie Kovler Center and what has kept you there?
A: I have always been motivated by working towards social justice, which Kovler Center offers in spades to their program participants. To me acupuncture, lends itself to providing social justice because it can be done affordably, safely, and considers each person’s wholeness in every treatment. It was Kovler Center that helped me understand how this seemingly individual medicine could be translated and used as part of real community healing. That has been revolutionary for me.
Q: What aspect of your work are you most excited about?
A: All of my clients, both at Kovler and Quil Studio, have incredible and amazing stories. The most profound stories are the ones that express what they love and value. It’s a very life affirming and hopeful experience, especially as clients restore balance and feel empowered. Who couldn’t get excited about witnessing that?!
Q: Your work exposes you to hardship, crisis, and trauma. How do you cope and maintain a work/life balance?
A: Talk therapy, body based therapies (like somatic touch, massage, acupuncture) and being in nature have all been really helpful for me. I also give myself permission to take breaks when I need them and I build boundaries into my schedule, life and relationships. That way I have space to feel and move through all the complicated feelings that come up when working with trauma, regardless of whether that trauma belongs to me or someone else.
Q: What does mental health mean to you? Why is it important to celebrate World Mental Health Day?
A: Mental health is physical health. Acupuncture is a holistic medicine meaning that we don’t differentiate between the health of the mind and the health of the body when treating patients. Being healthy means both are in balance. What someone feels mentally affects how they feel in their body and how they feel in their body affects how they feel mentally. In turn, a person’s holistic health plays a huge role in their participation in family, work and community life. A day like World Mental Health Day brings to light these interwoven issues and gives us the opportunity to talk about what mental health is and isn’t and how we can support those who are struggling. This is how we break down the stigma and shame surrounding mental health issues and let people know they aren’t alone.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
A: Stop overthinking every little thing. Give yourself permission to play just for the sake of it and take some risks, even silly ones.
Q: Tell us about a woman who has inspired or mentored you. What key lesson did you learn from them?
A: There are two women that have guided and mentored me. Both of them have this amazing ability to stay curious about themselves and others. They aren’t threatened by not knowing everything, being right or being perfect. I try to embody that curiosity as much as I can into my life.
Q: Tell us about a favorite book/show/podcast and why/how it inspires you.
A: My guilty pleasure is any true crime podcast. Not very inspiring, I realize, but figured I should be honest. I recently read Swimming with Seals by Victoria Whitworth. It’s a memoir about how swimming every day in the cold, dark waters off the coast of Orkney helped her heal from pain, sadness and heartbreak. I was so inspired by her point of view, her bravery and the way she uses myth and imagery to find meaning in all that she encounters in her environment. Beautiful book.
Q: What would be the title of your autobiography?
A: Full Vibrant Being
