About Truly Heard
Our Philosophy
We exist to meet the fundamental human need to be heard by facilitating human to human conversations that allow individuals to express their thoughts and be met with empathy, clarity, and respect.
Built on A Foundation of Trust...
Truly Heard exists because some truths need a safe place to be spoken. We never record or retain your words unless you specifically request it — and even then, it belongs only to you. Trust is not a feature of our service; it is the condition of our work. Trust is the responsibility we carry with every word you share.
And Dignity
You are not here to be corrected, examined, or measured. Every story carries its own truth, and every voice deserves the right to be heard without interruption or interpretation. We honor your experience as it is — without asking it to be smaller, softer, or more acceptable.
Our Founder: Earnestine Benford
I know what it feels like to carry invisible burdens.
Living with chronic illness, surviving cancer, and spending years abroad as an expat taught me how often we appear strong on the outside while silently holding far more than others realize. During those years, I experienced the quiet impact of having a space to speak freely — not to be analyzed or fixed, but simply to be heard.
I studied Neuroscience at Smith College and Saint Louis University, and later earned an MBA in Finance from Washington University. My career began in Brand Management with Fortune 100 companies such as Disney and Coca-Cola, where I saw firsthand how unspoken emotion influences human decision-making.
That path led me into Qualitative research, where I spent years understanding the stories beneath the surface — through interviews, focus groups, and journey mapping — learning how deeply people need a place to be heard without judgment.
Today, I bring those experiences together in Truly Heard — not as therapy, coaching, or advice, but as a structured human conversation with a skilled listener. A space where individuals can express what they carry and leave feeling lighter, clearer, and Truly Heard.
Earnestine Benford
Founder, Truly Heard
What We Are Not
“We don’t treat or advise — we listen with intention.”
Truly Heard is not therapy, counseling, or crisis intervention.
We do not diagnose, treat, or offer advice.
We don’t analyze, fix, or tell you what to do.
Instead, we facilitate human conversations — grounded in empathy and clarity — where you can speak freely, organize your thoughts, and be genuinely heard without judgment or interruption.