VALIDHEART FAQ'S
HOW ARE THE SESSIONS RUN?
The sessions are held by phone, Zoom or FaceTime, whatever we together decided to do. We can book our times together as well as make a plan for going forward. We will be able to stay in contact with each via email or whatever messaging works best. Sessions, after the introductory session, will be an hour long.
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE FOR MY FIRST SESSION?
Come to our introductory session with a desire to be heard. Come prepared to tell me your story in brief and the struggles you are facing. Please don't feel pressure that you have to have it all figured out before we chat. We can do that together. Come with questions about me you may have. We will together decide if I am the right fit for helping you and how many sessions to book.
ARE THESE SESSIONS PRIVATE?
Yes, I will keep all content confidential. The only exception to that is if there is a danger of harm to yourself or others or if vulnerable people are in danger.
HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM A THERAPIST OR COUNSELLOR?
I am not a therapist or counsellor. If I feel you need therapy or counselling, I will gently recommend that you find therapy and offer you help on finding someone. What they do that I can't is looking deeply into trauma and mental health issues, diagnose different issues and give you help in healing those wounds and coping with life. The coaching I do helps you see your life from different perspectives and helps you identify your options and make choices that will lead to greater peace.
WILL YOU TRY TO CONVINCE ME TO LEAVE MY FAITH?
I have chosen to leave my faith, but never expect that of others and would never try to convince you in any direction. I respect your right to faith, whatever your religion may be. I am a safe place to discuss your doubts as I understand religion from 55 years of experience and when doubts lead to leaving faith as I have experienced it for the last five years.
I always respect your gender and sexual identity.
WHAT RELIGIONS DOES THE FAITH DECONSTRUCTION COVER?
I come from an evangelical Christian background. That is the area I have studied most and am nost familiar with, I am willing to talk about any faith system and always willing to learn more. I am respectful of all faiths and it is never my intent to talk you out of a faith or convince you that you need to change your beliefs. I am here to help you understand what is happening within you as you explore deconstruction or question your beliefs.
FOR THE GRIEF COACHING OR LIFE COACHING, DO YOU TALK ABOUT FAITH?
We do discuss faith as it is a big part of how we cope and how we understand grief. I am respectful of all faiths and it is never my intent to talk you out of your faith or convince you that you need to change your beliefs.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OPTIONS OTHER THAN 1:1 SESSIONS LIKE COURSES OR BOOKS?
There isn't yet, but if you are interested in a book or course, please let me know. With enough interest, I will see that it happens.
WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS?
Master of Divinity -Taylor Seminary 2017
Grief Recovery Method Specialist -Grief Recovery Institute
Certified Coach Practitioner -Certified Coaches Federation
Mental Health First Aid: Adults Who Interact with Youth
-Mental Health First Aid Canada
ASIST 11: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
-Center for Suicide Prevention
First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse
-Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse
Brief Focused Counselling Skills - Strategies for Leading
Frameworks -Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
Borderline Personality Disorder :Understanding and Supporting
-Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
Story Sage: Framework and Tools and Family of Origin
-Allender Center
Trauma Informed Care -Imagine Institute for Learning
Addictions and Youth: Substances, Technology, Porn
-Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
QPR Gatekeeper Instructor Certificate -QPR Suicide Prevention
Gatekeeper Instructor Certification Program
Religious Trauma Studies -Global Center for Religious Research