Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! I grew up as 2nd youngest of 6 kids in a very Authoritarian household. I talk a bit about the "Govern-Garden-Guide" concept on my social media accounts (you can look up Piaget's Theory for a similar concept), and while I didn't know any different from how my parents "governed" while I was younger, they never quite let up out of that stage for me. (For example, I wasn't allowed to get my license until I graduated from high school because of the trust we lacked.) That said, when I was in middle school and the "Garden" phase needed to be in full force- nearly time to shift to "Guide"- there were particular situations that in the moment I actively knew what kind of "pruning" I needed from them, but was governed instead. I somehow knew that I didn't need unconditional permission... I just needed age-appropriate explanation. In those moments, and for my existence forward, I knew I wanted to have my own children to parent differently.

I initially majored in Interpersonal Communication with a minor in Psychology at Western Michigan University with the intention to become a Marriage Counselor. After a year and a half I realized I needed a higher level of accountability than lecture halls could give me, so I chose to transfer to the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts where I became a Certified Massage Therapist. From there, I continued my education through the Upledger Institute to specialize in Craniosacral and SomatoEmotional Release Therapies. Being a middle child, I always found myself mediating situations which is what drew me toward wanting to be a Marriage Counselor; it feels very natural to me to want to help someone see someone else's point of view to reach a point of understanding, healing and a path forward. By switching to a Therapeutic Massage School, I was instead able to learn specifically how to facilitate those outcomes within oneself. 

Becoming a Therapeutic Bodyworker through KCHA and UI included much more than how to perform Swedish (aka effleurage) massage. Craniosacral and SomatoEmotional Release Therapies focus on how we experience & hold trauma in our bodies and how to heal from it. There is a focus on whole-body healing which begins with the Therapist. My training taught me how to ground myself & be present in my environments, how to practice true self-care in a sustainable manner (beyond hygiene and healthy eating) and how to communicate assertively (void of aggression or passivity). In my opinion, these skills are imperative to hone to have a successful parent-child relationship, fulfilling relationships with others & ourselves and to find Spiritual centeredness. Through role-play, brainstorming on targeted worksheets and mindful collaboration, I am able to help others gain mastery over these life-skills. 

I practiced as a Licensed Massage Therapist for 7 years, and in the 3rd-7th years of my Craniosacral and SomatoEmotional Release based massage practice, I had a 70% client retention rate. I was assured by countless clients this was due to my active listening, my ability to instinctively and intuitively attune myself to what they specifically needed, as well as offer practical, atypical tips for how to continue their healing process between sessions (well beyond the standard suggestions of "more water, epsom salt baths and stretching"). 

Not in the way the world wants me to. I am Catholic and believe in Catholic Doctrine in its entirety. I believe all human beings are worthy of dignity and respect. There is nothing you or I could do to strip us from that inherent right. As someone who experiences Same-Sex Attraction, I understand the inclination deeply. Even when I was agnostic in college, I chose to not pursue a same sex relationship because it did not make logical sense to me. I understood then, and understand now, that sex is meant to be both Unitive and Procreative. Within the guidelines of the Catholic Church, sex fulfills the complementary nature of male and female, thus fulfilling God's natural Will and Design for us. The Church can expound upon Doctrinal teachings better than I can, so I would refer you to the United States Congregation of Catholic Bishops' statement in 2006, Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care. If specifically my child came to me with any form of same-sex inclinations, I would continue to show my love, encourage open dialogue and share my experiences and understanding of the topic. There is another statement from 1997 from the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Marriage and Family called Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers. My primary goal would be to ensure them of my profound love and respect for them while helping them make a fully informed decision in how they choose to live their life in all regards: Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually.

As far as if one of my children came to me as Transgender, the conversation would completely depend on their age. However, at any age, void of them beginning the conversation in this particular manner, I teach the importance of not losing our tangible sense of identity which is within our physical bodies. Growing up, I was not allowed to dye my hair because my mom always stressed how absolutely beautiful my natural hair color is. In the moment, I was very frustrated- I just wanted highlights! But as a 30 year old adult, I have virgin hair, and it's because I deeply feel my hair is perfect just the way it is. I hope to instill the same level of security and knowledge of perfection in my child's body; regardless of what they feel on inside... Their body doesn't have to change, and if they do choose to change it- whether by artificial hormones or surgeries- they can never go back. I would show them testimonies from both sides: from those who have found solace in transition, and from those who regret it. We would continue to dialogue as things came up, and seek professional guidance if it felt needed.