Map Your Healing Journey

Map Your Healing Journey began a year ago (at the time of this article). I hadn’t yet conceived of the exact name, but I had an inkling and inspiration that my life was going in this direction: working with people on issues related to trauma and grief.

Reflecting on This First Year

A year ago, I started training for Trauma Recovery Coach certification, and happily received it in September 2021. During that time, I developed this website and the logo. I secured collaboration and supervision through Centerpointe Therapists, where I have office space (and love my colleagues there). In fact, we were gearing up to open our doors for in-person meetings and groups.

Then Delta hit. Then Omicron hit. There was too much that was unknown about how these variants would affect us all, so we all primarily went back to telehealth.

A drawing depicting a teal sticky note on a darker teal background with the words Reminder and Never give up!

While discouraging, this did not stop me. I have learned in my own trauma journey to Never Give Up. I have had the best time working with you on a variety of trauma and grief issues. I am honored and humbled with how you have helped me during this last year through encouragement, trust, word-of-mouth, and validation for what is my life’s work.

Together, we are turning the injustice and sadness of our trauma and grief into something beautiful. We are doing The Work, every day, every step, every move forward.

What’s Coming Soon for Y’All

My moves forward in the past year have included continued study. I recently took a class on Seeking Safety, a group near to my heart. I was part of Seeking Safety groups several years ago. In fact, when I arrived at the virtual training, the instructor was the same person who ran my Seeking Safety group when I took it! I *do* love full circles.

Seeking Safety is a group for those with PTSD to gather in a safe space and gain support for their mental health. I like it because there is enough structure and learning material to aid in our journeys and still allow for building meaningful relationships.

Second, I ran a couple of different kinds of small groups. I really appreciate the attendees of those groups because this was fairly new to me. I mean, I was a classroom teacher for ten years so I wasn’t completely in the dark. What I knew – and know still – is that I love working with groups. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Healing Doesn’t Happen in a Vacuum.

I love small groups so much that I will soon study and receive certification in small group trauma work. I’m very excited!

Speaking of Small Groups

woman in pink shirt with brown hair stands at microphone telling jokes

It doesn’t stop there! I have had people express interest in a Healing Through Humor class, and this will be happening in April. Consider this an informal announcement (LOL). This small group/class will work together to create stand up comedy about their own mental health experiences in a safe space. We don’t make fun of mental illness, we make fun of our own experiences, like how I compare PTSD to cheese as a lactose intolerant person.

Last but not least, I will soon be training for The Grief Recovery Method. Certification in this program means that I will be able to work with people on specifically moving through grief. There’s not a lot out there focused on this kind of work, and I am very excited to be apart of it!

Now for the Top Five Trauma Recovery Posts So Far!

Also an important list, in addition to these blog posts

Now, a year later, I’m taking a rest. Practicing what I preach. One week of vacation, no work at all. Pray for me (LOL).

During this time, check out some of the most popular blog posts from the last year!

1. One of the most popular is A Letter To My Abusive Father
I wrote this five years ago during a writing workshop. I last saw my father in the summer of 1992, when he drove through the drive-thru where I worked. I remember the day I published this letter. Hands shaking, stomach queasy. And then…nothing happened except readers found it helpful.

2. Four Truths About Thriving in Trauma Recovery
A piece about one of the most important epiphanies about my own healing that I’ve ever had.

3. How to Deal with Pandemic Grief
I’ve heard quite a bit about this article, specifically how it helps to put words to the weird feeling we all have and why we feel stuck. Pandemic grief is a thing, and will only get more prevalent as we begin to come out of – and we will come out of – the pandemic.

4. Alternatives to Therapy While You Wait
One of my side gigs is writing for Sweatpants & Coffee. This article is based on my own experiences in a wide range of therapies and how they can be helpful if you’re waiting for talk therapy.

5. The Losses & Gains of Leaving Toxic Relationships
I like to publish work on Medium, too. This is a really long and helpful post, giving some context to how I have weeded through the relationships in my life during my personal growth.

And a BONUS: A Love Letter to Depressed People
This remains one of my favorite articles, raw and honest. Fall and winter were pretty tough last year, and writing this article felt cathartic.

One last thing, don’t forget about Coaching for Tips! This has been an invaluable practice, and sign ups are still available!