Do you struggle with anxiety or depression? Do you struggle in your relationships, feel stuck or lost? Do you keep repeating patterns you’d rather not, wishing you could break free? You are not alone. You may have experienced trauma and not know it. When people hear the word trauma, they often hear the word abuse. Abuse is trauma, but trauma lives on a spectrum. It can be as simple as being bullied, your parents getting divorced, having an exacting coach/mentor who shames, having caretakers who didn’t seem to be available, and it can follow the spectrum all the way into abusive experiences.

For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of training with the renowned Allender Center, an organization that has empowered countless individuals to courageously engage their personal stories, leading to transformational growth. Having completed the three year coursework, each level building on the last, I am now officially certified in Narrative Focused Trauma Care (better known as Storywork).

What is Storywork? From the moment we are born, we live enstoried lives. Are there stories from your past that stay with you, and you don’t know why; are there stories you know changed the way you move through the world? Do you have a desire to better understand yourself and discover more fully who God has created you to be? As we delve into the narratives of our lives, we begin to recognize how our experiences have shaped us, and we can begin to find healing and hope in the remarkable story that God is authoring through us.

As a person who has survived trauma and who’s been on a healing journey for over 30 years, I know what it is to step into the stories of our lives and find restoration. I have experienced the gamut of care offered through counseling practices and the church. I know good care, and I know what it is when the care you seek leaves you disappointed and discouraged. Among the modalities I have found most effective, Storywork ranks at the top.

On a personal note, I have spent the last 25 years of my career as a business owner whose success depended upon coaching others. I have mentored in recovery and lay ministries, sharing space with people who wish to transform their lives. I am wife to Greg, mother to two amazing adults and their partners, and our dog WillaBatman. I love to cook, bake, read, travel, be outdoors and inhabit space with those I love. My two highest values are love and truth.

Here in my practice, I host private story groups, and I also engage in one-on-one storywork counseling. If you’d like to learn more, you can reach me at sacredstoryspace@gmail.com, connect with me on Instagram @sacredstoryspace, or reach me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-may-sacredstoryspace/

Disclaimer: I am a Storywork Counselor, not a licensed mental health professional. Narrative Focused Trauma Care is a therapeutic approach rooted in the belief that understanding personal narratives in the presence of another is key to healing from trauma. Traditional therapy is provided by a licensed mental health professional with training in a variety of healing modalities. Storywork, on the other hand, is a healing practice led by a trained facilitator which can be therapeutic and aid in self-discovery and healing. Many people choose to do storywork in addition to their personal therapy.