A bit about me: I spent the first half of my life as a counselor in various agencies while raising two children with my husband, John. As my children blossomed into young adults, I fulfilled a life-long dream of writing a novel. After publishing two books, Out of Breath, and GriefInk, I worked with college students in Santa Cruz, California, offering spiritual direction and mentorship. Our family recently relocated to San Diego County, and I envisioned a space where I could Walking Alongside people in their pain; a place where I could mentor someone during life transitions and struggles; a safe haven for adults to explore unresolved issues, fears, griefs, and create dreams for the future.
7 Primary Areas
Personal Growth
Are you afraid to make changes in relationships, career, and how you move in the world? Are you tired of wearing a mask? Do you crave more authenticity in relationships and within your own self? Do you wish you could speak up for yourself, or tamper down the anger that lives inside? Is life filled with work, and little space for hobbies, interests, and new growth?
Childhood Trauma
Did you grow up in a family where yelling, hitting, neglect, or the neglect of feelings were the norm? Do you wonder why you keep repeating the same patterns in adulthood that are reminiscent of your childhood? Were you abused sexually, and this secret continues to live inside you? Do intrusive memories linger in your mind, and prevent you from healing?
Substance Use & Abuse
Do you drink or use substances (marijuana, mind-altering prescription drugs, other drugs) to medicate your feelings? Is it hard to imagine being in the world without altering how you feel? Do you have trouble living in your own skin? Have you experienced black outs where you wonder what you did under the influence? Have others expressed concern about your drinking or drug use? Do you have that nagging sense that you may be drinking or using substances too much, too frequently, and that you just can’t stop?
Codependency/Setting Boundaries
Do you find yourself surrounded by chaos? As a child, did you often take on the parental role due to adults who drank, used drugs, had rage issues, or mental health issues? Do you place people in your life who continually drain you, and with whom you have trouble setting boundaries? Do you pick partners and/or friends who give little, while you seem to give your all?
Grief
Have you experienced the loss of a family member, friend, spouse, partner, co-worker that has left you feeling alone, bereft, pining for the person in a way that disrupts your life? Do you wonder if your grief is “normal”, and are tired of people insisting that you need to “move on”? Do you wish you could have someone walk alongside you in this crucial time of loss?
Cognitive Restructuring
When it comes down to it, do you seem to take things too personally, find yourself catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or see the world in black and white terms? Is your self-talk so harmful that you would never tolerate someone else talking to you this way? Do your thoughts race, and you find your mind an exhausting place?
Spiritual Direction
Do you have a desire to grow spiritually in the Christian faith, but haven’t had someone pour into you as you explore your beliefs, doubts, and questions without fear of judgment? Have you experienced hurt or spiritual abuse in a church that has left you feeling isolated, alone, and questioning your beliefs? Do you want someone to partner with you as you grow spiritually?