Therapists Are Human Too
The Healing Journey of Reciprocity
9 Therapists’ Personal Stories of Healing and Growth
by Jennifer Nagel
About the Book
Healing/Mental Health/Personal Growth
Sharing stories of inspiration that highlight our common humanity and the ways we all influence and learn from one another, the authors address topics of intergenerational trauma and healing, self-betrayal, shame, adoption, addiction, rediscovering spirituality and showing up authentically for life.
About the Author
Jennifer Nagel is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the author of Magic in the Muck: Finding Grace in Chaos (2018). Through her work, she has helped many people on their journeys of learning to show up more authentically in their personal and professional lives. She is also very passionate about teaching. As the Director of Trainer Development for the Satir Institute of the Pacific and a senior faculty member of the Banmen Satir China Management Center, Jennifer travels the world teaching both professional and personal growth programs in Canada, China, Kenya, and Thailand. Jennifer is proud to work with a diverse range of clients, including families, therapists, educators, school programs, community organizations, at-risk adolescents, therapeutic programs, non-profit organizations, and corporate groups. Writing about reciprocity in therapy comes from her first-hand experience of learning from and with the people and communities she works with.
https://jennifernagelcounselling.com/
Interview with Jennifer Nagel
Please share a bit about your journey to become a published author.
My journey to becoming a published author began in 2017 with a writing workshop that led to me working on my first book “Magic in the Muck.” I met Julie Ann part-way through the evolvement of the book and attended one of her writing retreats in Mexico to complete the finishing touches. The support from Julie along the way was invaluable to keeping to timelines.
The journey to my current collaborative book project came directly from sharing ideas with Julie when visiting her at Casa de Influencia in September, 2022. We dreamed of providing a collaborative writing environment for each author to have the first draft of their chapter written in a week – this dream surpassed our expectations in reality this past May as each author was inspired and encouraged by one another in such a supportive environment. This influenced the depths we all went to in our writing and I’m very excited to launch this first collaborative book in the Reciprocity series. We are currently accepting applications from therapists, life coaches, and wellness professionals for the Book 2 retreat which is taking place this February, 2024.
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How does the writing process work for you? Do you schedule a time every day, work madly when inspiration hits or ??
I’d say it’s a combination of all of those things – some scheduling or setting aside intentional time to write, and also keeping post-it notes, scraps of paper and journals for scribbling thoughts as they come to me at random moments. I also don’t write linearly – it’s more like pieces of a puzzle that come together that form a whole when put together eventually.
What did you find most difficult about the writing and publishing process? What was the easiest?
The most difficult part is when I get in my own way of the process – when doubts, fears, negative thoughts really block the creative flow of writing. The most challenging part for me in this particular project was coming up with the design for the cover as I really wanted the cover to reflect the content of the book.
The easiest part was coming together in a retreat setting with all the authors to share the experience and support one another in the process.
What title (or titles) have you released?
Magic in the Muck: Finding Grace in Chaos – 2018
This book is about the journey we go through when there is change in our lives, and how we can show up to be fully present for all of it. I share a lot of personal stories in this book with the hopes of inspiring and motivating others on their journeys through life – finding those moments of grace that exist when there is chaos and finding the magic in the muck of it all. This book is for anyone who wants to remove and let go of obstacles that are getting in the way of fully living, and there are questions for reflection and journaling at the end of each section to take you through your own process to make new decisions for your life.
I’ve also authored two chapters for the Woman of Worth series:
“A New Perspective on Priorities” in Moms in Business: 15 Success Stories with Soul (2019)
And
“The Gift of Slowing Down” in Pandemic! Stories of Purpose,, Passion and Power Through this Extraordinary Era (2020)
The newest book launching into the world in November, 2023 is “Therapists are Human Too: The Healing Journey of Reciprocity”. This the first in what I hope will become a series of collaborative books on this theme of reciprocity. Personal, authentic and vulnerable stories by therapists, life coaches, wellness professionals and educators on how their lives have been transformed and changed from what they have learned from and with the clients they serve.
Do you have any new books in the planning or writing stage??
YES – the plan is to work on Book 2 in the Reciprocity series as this is a theme that really resonates with me and I know there are so many therapists, life coaches, and other wellness professionals who have profound stories of how their lives have been changed from what they’ve learned from and with their clients. The next retreat will be happening in Puerto Vallarta again at Casa de Influencia, co-facilitated by Julie Ann and myself. The collaborative writing retreat in Mexico this past May was such a beautiful experience and really allowed for the authors to be connected with one another in the co-creation of this book.
What would you like readers to know about you?
In my work as a therapist, clinical supervisor and international trainer, I am passionate about helping people on their journeys of re-connecting with the magic of who they really are. I teach the Satir Model (Transformational Systemic Therapy) based on the work and teachings of Virginia Satir whose message of “peace within, peace between, and peace among” has always resonated with me.
I travel the world and teach both professional and personal growth programs in Canada, China, Kenya, and Thailand. I love the diversity of the groups I get to work with including therapists, other helping professionals, educators, school programs, community groups, at-risk adolescents, therapeutic programs, non-profit organizations and corporate groups.
And I absolutely love spending quality time with my super supportive family and friends.
Any final comments you would love readers to know?
My hope for readers of “Therapists are Human Too: The Healing Journey of Reciprocity” is to remove the stigma of therapy and to recognize the common humanity we all share along our own personal journeys of healing and growth.
Co-Authors
Shelley Cook
Shelley J. Cook has been working in the healing field since she was twenty-six. She is First Nations and brings into her work the cultural and Traditional Knowledge she was born into. Shelley has travelled around the world and visited many places to first heal herself and then to serve those who she can in the highest way. As a counsellor and facilitator, she worked in a treatment centre for several years. Shelley has also worked in class rooms as an education assistant and a counsellor for high-risk youth. She is passionate about working with young people and wants to equip them with the resources that will help keep them on a good path. She loves this work because she says can’t stay the same—through the growth of others, there is always space in the movement forward to grow with them. Shelley knows that she is blessed by the reciprocity that is exchanged when sharing sacred space with another person. She is always in awe of the magic that happens when witnessing another people journey inward, find the hidden darkness, let it go, and choose the path of love.
Dr. Madeleine De Little
Dr. Madeleine De Little, CCC, MTC, RCS, is a leading world expert on and the creator of the Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray (NSST) method of transforming intergenerational trauma. With over forty years of counselling experience, she has recently been called to work with Indigenous survivors of intergenerational trauma in remote communities in northern Canada, where the impact of generations of profound harm is manifest in lateral violence, neglect, sexual abuse, and alcoholism. Dr. De Little is the recipient of the 2021/2022 Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s Counsellor Practitioner Award. She is also the Research Chair of the Satir Institute of the Pacific and a senior faculty member of the Banmen Satir China Management Center. Dr. De Little is the author of Where Words Can’t Reach: Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray and she teaches the NSST method and supervises student counsellors around the world.
Corrinna Douglas
Corrinna Douglas is very passionate about supporting people’s growth and empowerment. With over twenty years of experience working with children, adolescents, at-risk youth, families, and vulnerable populations, Corrinna connects with individuals by offering a space for authenticity, safety, and honour. By helping individuals navigate through life experiences and reconnecting them with their inner strengths and resources, Corrinna shows them how healing and change is possible. Her compassionate, supportive, and collaborative approach offers a deeper and meaningful journey of discovery. Through discovery, exploration, and curiosity, Corrinna guides individuals toward becoming more aware of their truth and to connect to it so that they may make the best life decisions for themselves. This process can offer deep and lasting change in their lives. Corrinna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Clinical Counselling Psychology. She is also a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and a clinical member of the Satir Institute of the Pacific.
Nancy Gordon
Nancy M. Gordon, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Life Coach, is a #1 international best-selling author, consultant, speaker, and life-changing expert who knows first-hand what it’s like to deal with serious loss and grief after a devastating car accident. In her upcoming teaching memoirs, 7 Steps of Hope: Healing The Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Impacts of Chronic Illness and Disability , 7 Powerful Practices to Manage Your Mind and Heal Your Heart , and I Miss You Already: Bearing the Unbearable Loss of Your Pet , Nancy combines her professional expertise and personal experience with fibromyalgia and a mild traumatic brain injury to offers a unique perspective on how to transform loss into love and grief into growth through hope and healing with wit and wisdom. Her work is endorsed by Dr. Karen Becker, a leading veterinarian and a New York Times best-selling author.
As a well-known loss and transformational grief expert and educator, Nancy’s media presence includes television, radio/podcast interviews, magazines, and books. Nancy lives in San Diego, California, where she enjoys swimming, being in nature, and writing.
Lyla Harman
As an Indigenous woman, Lyla Harman, MSW, values the connection and healing that occurs while working with other Indigenous women. Lyla is a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers and supports Coast Salish communities healing from trauma. Her passion is using Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy as a trauma-informed approach. In January 2018, Lyla opened Cedar Wellness Counselling and Consulting, a private practice based on growth, wisdom, and new possibilities. She challenges herself to continue her own healing so she can share this with those she works with. Lyla lives on Vancouver Island and enjoys spending time in nature with her husband, daughter, and son. She continues to decolonize herself by learning her traditional Hul’q’umi’num’ language, songs, and teachings from the Quw’utsun Elders. Connect with her on her website,
Tami Jennings
Tami Blackwell Jennings, BS, BHRS, is a Child Nutrition Director for a large rural school district and a volunteer teacher for women in recovery. Through her work, she provides nutritional choices and education for healthy living for students as well as staff. She continues to expand her influence through working with legislators on the state level for a healthier future beginning with the school systems. Tami transitioned from using her skills as a social worker with the foster and adoption program in Indian Child Welfare to impacting the lives of women returning to the community after spending time in rehabilitation programs and prison. She joins them in their journey of learning to live a healthy, fulfilling life through faith, and she teaches communication, personal growth, and relapse prevention. Tami is very passionate about community building and connections. She is proud to work with a diverse range of students, staff, administrators, and legislators, as well as women in recovery. She seeks to do her part in making the world a better place.
Bonnie Lee
Bonnie Lee, MS, LPC, lives in Owasso, Oklahoma. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science from Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, and her Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Community Counseling from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She is level-three trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She currently works with first responders and their families as well as running a small private practice.
Bonnie continues her work and training in Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy. She strives to not only utilize the model professionally but to live out the concepts of authenticity and connection with self and others in her personal life. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and quilting.
Dr. Rick Miners
Dr. Rick Miners is a Registered Psychologist who works in private practice, where he works with children, youth, and adults with developmental, learning, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Across multiple settings, he provides family therapy, consultation to schools, executive coaching, supervision (of early career psychologists), and team leadership. Previously, he conducted research on mindfulness, led mindfulness-based stress reduction programs, and has served as a university lecturer, an organizational health facilitator, and a structural engineer. He was also a sub-investigator and research therapist with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies’ international multi-site MDMA-PTSD treatment study. Rick works from an integrative perspective, drawing primarily from Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy, mindfulness-based, cognitive behavioural, and Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy for Complex Trauma approaches. He has experience with Indigenous healing rites and formal training in psychedelic psychotherapy, and has been a therapist for over twenty years.