I'm a surivor of childhood abuse. I didn't even remember it until my mid-thirties, yet I could look back and see that my whole life had been affected by it... especially in the area of relationships. I endured several abusive relationships, in my twenties and thirties, including physical, verbal, emotional, psychological and substance abuse, where I was the constant caretaker of everyone but myself.
But as I embarked upon the healing process, my relationshps started getting progressively better. The more I learned how to not just survive --- but THRIVE --- the better my choices were, about who to allow into my life. Today, I am blessed to say that I'm married to fully emotionally-available and supportive parnter.
So, my first step along the healing path was when I entered 12-step recovery, in 1994. A few years later, I entered therapy, so I'm not only a helping professional --- I'm also a client! This was in the heart of my healing and growing, when I really learned how to be supportive to myself.
During this whole trajectory, I had completed my Masters in Social Work. For close to 2 decades, I worked on the "front lines" of addiction and homelessness --- as the director of 5 halfway houses and, also, in my own private counseling practice.
One of the founders of ARCS is a dear friend of mine and enrolled me in the CARC Certification Program , back when it was only availabe to masters-level professionals. And I can tell you, I learned more about how to work one-on-one with clients --- and more about myself --- in certification classes, than I did in 6 years of university!
I'm a huge believer in this program as a vehicle for healing, and for helping others. I feel so blessed, today, to have the opportunity to "teach the teachers" and to "help the helpers" --- because I know that each one of you is going to help so many people.
So, that's my story --- I look forward to hearing yours :)
But as I embarked upon the healing process, my relationshps started getting progressively better. The more I learned how to not just survive --- but THRIVE --- the better my choices were, about who to allow into my life. Today, I am blessed to say that I'm married to fully emotionally-available and supportive parnter.
So, my first step along the healing path was when I entered 12-step recovery, in 1994. A few years later, I entered therapy, so I'm not only a helping professional --- I'm also a client! This was in the heart of my healing and growing, when I really learned how to be supportive to myself.
During this whole trajectory, I had completed my Masters in Social Work. For close to 2 decades, I worked on the "front lines" of addiction and homelessness --- as the director of 5 halfway houses and, also, in my own private counseling practice.
One of the founders of ARCS is a dear friend of mine and enrolled me in the CARC Certification Program , back when it was only availabe to masters-level professionals. And I can tell you, I learned more about how to work one-on-one with clients --- and more about myself --- in certification classes, than I did in 6 years of university!
I'm a huge believer in this program as a vehicle for healing, and for helping others. I feel so blessed, today, to have the opportunity to "teach the teachers" and to "help the helpers" --- because I know that each one of you is going to help so many people.
So, that's my story --- I look forward to hearing yours :)