I have been so blessed throughout my life, to begin learning about trauma and how to treat and heal it from a very young age. I am so grateful to have been taught by or worked alongside pioneers in the fields of disability rights [1], psychological trauma [2], veterans [3], and spirituality [4]. As much as these experts have taught me, some of the most powerful and gifted teachers I have are my clients and those who hate me. It has been a privilege to learn with them and from them [5]. In the field of disability rights: C. David Roberts, Ph.D., James “Jim” De Jong, James “Jim” Brinkmann, Michael Merrick, and Mark Laird. In the field of psychological trauma: Grandma Lucy, Robert D. Enright, Ph.D., Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D., Rita Witt (Victims of Domestic Violence), Joseph “Joe” Marinello (Domestic Violence Offenders), and my beloved parents. In the field specific to veterans: Alex Waigandt, Ph.D., Dennis Blang, and my family. In the field of religion (spirituality): Grandma Lucy, Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D., William Coulson, Ph.D., Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi, Discalced Carmelites, Missionaries of Charity, my beloved husband and our precious son.
After 25 years of professional experience with trauma, 15 years as a clinician, and a decade of experience, specializing in Forgiveness Therapy, I was humbled to receive an official endorsement on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022, for my work with treating and healing trauma. This endorsement came from the 2022 American Psychological Foundation Gold Medal Award Winner, Robert D. Enright, Ph.D., who is regarded as “the Father of Forgiveness Therapy” and who Time magazine named “the forgiveness trailblazer”. Forgiveness has only recently been formally recognized in the psychological field as being central to healing from trauma. Yet, it’s a truth that has long been known, although often misunderstood for ages. Even I first started speaking about it in my early childhood. I believe that forgiveness is more than a choice. Forgiveness is the opportunity to change the way your story ends. I look forward to being part of your story!
[1] In the field of disability rights: C. David Roberts, Ph.D., James “Jim” De Jong, James “Jim” Brinkmann, Michael Merrick, and Mark Laird.
[2] In the field of psychological trauma: Grandma Lucy, Robert D. Enright, Ph.D., Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D., Rita Witt (Victims of Domestic Violence), Joseph “Joe” Marinello (Domestic Violence Offenders), and my beloved parents.
[3] In the field specific to veterans: Alex Waigandt, Ph.D., Dennis Blang, and my family.
[4] In the field of spirituality: Grandma Lucy, Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D., William Coulson, Ph.D., Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi, Discalced Carmelites, Missionaries of Charity, my beloved husband and our precious son.
[5] I believe that I will always be a lifelong learner because I thrive on learning. As a clinician, who specializes in treating and healing trauma, including complex trauma, with Forgiveness Therapy, I can only continue if I choose to learn and grow with the help of others. However, I have my own identity. I have the confidence to trust my training and my ability to interpret the unconscious and assist in the healing of the hearts of others. This is all possible because of what I’ve learned and continue to learn, each and every day. It’s my passionate desire to learn that has even saved lives.