Experience

The Grace Alliance

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Mental Health Coach

  • Dec 2013 - Present

  I have completed Mental Health Coach certification with Mental Health Grace Alliance in Waco, TX. THRIVE Mental Health Coaches work one-on-one with individuals, providing a COMPREHENSIVE approach to mental health care and support. Our guided curriculum addresses the physical, mental, spiritual, and relational needs of each person. The curriculum provides practical tools to navigate professional care and personal life. THRIVE Mental Health Coaches are trained to encourage and guide the client through the recovery process. 8 REASONS TO CONSIDER THRIVE ... THRIVE supplements and reinforce professional care. Many Mental Health professionals partner and refer their clients to be involved in the Thrive program for additional ongoing support and recovery. THRIVE lessons and exercises are principally based to reinforce evidence based therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT). THRIVE uses recovery scale to evaluate progress ... each person can see how they are recovering. THRIVE is strength-based to empower each person towards rebuilding self-worth, value and purpose. THRIVE uses basic concepts for self-management to reduce difficult symptoms and negative thought patterns. THRIVE renews a sense of personal faith based in grace, rest and comfort. THRIVE rebuilds healthy relationships and community. THRIVE coaches provide basic mental health support and feedback to the recovery process, no more being stuck! For more information on how THRIVE accelerates recovery, or to find out how to become a certified Mental Health Coach (MHGA Affiliate), visit mentalhealthgracealliance.org/coaching. Show less



Lewisville, TX

• Home School Teacher

  • Jan 2011 - Present

  Most school districts are not equipped to manage education around the needs of the mentally ill student. Sure, there are Special Education classes, but my experience has shown me that special ed classes serve more to increase the stigma of mental illness than match the education needs of the student. Homeschooling allows for options that cannot be offered under government provided schooling. My journey as a Home School Teacher began shortly after we lost our 18 year old son, who suffered many years with bipolar illness, to suicide. Our youngest boy, 12 years old at the time of his brother's death, who also suffers with bipolar illness, lost the one individual in his life that truly connected with him and his struggle. His grieving was so impacting and exacerbated by his bipolar illness that he could not manage even 30 minutes of the public school he had attended through 5th grade. Though the school district did everything they knew and felt they could do to arrange for appropriate alternative schooling, we were in survival mode; school was not the primary goal - it just didn't work for our son. In the beginning, home schooling was considered a success if we could complete one math problem in a day. As of this writing, nearly four years later, much has improved, especially our son's interest in schooling. I still home school him, but we're past one math problem per day, having added English, Reading, History, Culinary Arts, Physical Education and many subject-specific field trips. In a word, "flexible." Although I don't feel I would ever receive any Teacher of the Year Award, I praise the Lord for where I am now as compared to where I was several years ago. God's plan is always bigger than mine! Show less



NOT A DAY PROMISED

• www.notadaypromised.com

• Blogger

  • Jul 2010 - Present

  Battling mental illness through education and resources. "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." Proverbs 1:5 Battling mental illness through education and resources. "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." Proverbs 1:5



Scott & White Hospital

• Temple, Texas

• BSN/Warriorette in God's Mental Health Army

  • Jul 1981 - Jul 1982

  I graduated from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in 1979 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. My senior year at UMHB was paid for by an anonymous donor from the Scott & White Foundation. In turn, after graduation, I worked one year in the Scott & White NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). I married and moved to Oklahoma, where I continued Nursing until December of 1984, when we had our first child. I am blessed that the Lord has provided me the opportunity to remain home for our five children ever since. Although I am not current as an RN, what I learned at UMHB, Scott & White, my nursing in Oklahoma and our five children has given me a great understanding of my now passionate advocate role in the battle to educate those who choose to walk around mental illness rather than see the face of mental illness; one in four adults have some form of mental illness, but you would never know it, because their face is no different from yours. Show less