Dr. Swanzi Saunders-Davis, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with decades of experience, has released "Still Becoming," a memoir detailing her personal journey through clinical depression while offering professional insights for others facing similar challenges. The book represents a significant contribution to mental health literature by bridging clinical psychology with spiritual perspectives, particularly valuable for readers seeking faith-integrated approaches to healing.
As both a therapist and someone who experienced depression without access to clinical help at the time, Saunders-Davis brings unique credibility to her writing. Her background as a former church pastor and spiritual leader informs the book's approach, which she describes as "a sacred unfolding of what it means to heal through grace, faith, hope, and the gradual return of light and life." This combination of professional expertise and personal experience creates what early readers have described as both educational and deeply resonant.
The book's publication through Lucid Books, an independent hybrid publisher in the Houston area, reflects growing opportunities for specialized mental health content to reach audiences through alternative publishing models. As a partnership publisher, Lucid Books offers traditional publishing connections while maintaining author involvement typically associated with self-publishing, allowing for niche works like "Still Becoming" to find their audience.
"Still Becoming" arrives at a time when mental health discussions increasingly acknowledge the role of spirituality in recovery processes. Saunders-Davis emphasizes that "connection is one of the places where God loves to dwell" and that healing "begins with letting go of the destination," encouraging readers to "start from where you are, not from where you think you 'should' be." These perspectives address what many mental health professionals identify as crucial components of sustainable recovery: self-compassion and realistic expectations.
The book's importance extends beyond individual readers to the broader mental health landscape, where integration of diverse healing modalities continues to evolve. By documenting her journey "through silence, surrender, and finally healing," Saunders-Davis provides both validation for those experiencing depression and practical wisdom for clinicians seeking to incorporate spiritual dimensions into therapeutic practice. Her work contributes to destigmatizing mental health struggles within faith communities while offering clinically-informed guidance for navigating depression's challenges.
