My Challenging Career as a Healer And How You Can Benefit From It

My holistic healing career has been a winding and challenging journey, and you can benefit from it. Here's my story.

I graduated from massage therapy school in 1992 with well-trained hands and a heart full of love. I was released into the world to make my mark; but I had no clear vision, no business experience, no confidence, no accountability, no idea how to manage the therapist-client energy exchange, and no professional support.

Over the last 33 years, I have added multiple techniques to my toolkit--Acupuncture, Quantum Healing, Life Coaching, and more. While I loved the pure act of healing and being of service to my clients and patients, being a holistic healer has been a hard path. I wandered and stumbled through my career for years, experiencing confusion and heartache. I:

• Struggled to get clients, thus always worried about money.
• Jumped from job to job, as I often needed to supplement my private practice income.
• Accepted clients that challenged my ethics and integrity.
• Crossed my own boundaries by scheduling clients outside my normal work hours.
• Crossed my own boundaries again by allowing clients to chat endlessly before and after the session.
• Felt isolated and lonely in practice by myself.
• Hurt my body.
• Neglected my needs for the benefit of my clients.
• Went to work even when injured or sick.
• Rarely took a vacation.
• Often gave clients more table time than they paid for.
• Felt drained at the end of the workday.
• Was stuck in my career and confused about my path.
• Felt Disconnected from the passion that brought me into this field in the first place.
• Questioned whether or not I was even in the right field.
• Felt scared to take the steps my heart was calling for.

Very slowly, over the course of many years, I built a thriving private practice. But by that time, I was so worn down that I began to experience burnout.
Looking Back
When I look back now on my career, I feel…exhausted. Yes, I met many amazing people and got to serve them in deep and profound ways and for that, I am truly grateful. But it was so hard!

I didn’t know that:

💢Creating a clear heart-centered vision for the journey ahead is essential. And magical!

💢A guide and mentor can ease the way. The right person grounds and stabilizes us, gently nudges us inward and forward, ideally with love.

💢It is so important to connect with peers and colleagues! It’s odd to say that being a healer is a lonely profession since we work with people all day long. But our clients are not our peers or colleagues; we nourish and give to them, but it is not reciprocal (nor should it be). And since I am an introvert, I did not naturally seek out other healers to connect with. I mostly stayed in my own world, and I was lonely.

💢My highly sensitive and open nature was draining me dry! I did not know that I was merging energetically with my patients and clients with no thought of boundaries. I gave them my best energy and took on their pain. So many times, clients came in with an ache or pain; they would leave refreshed and feeling great, but I felt drained and achy!

💢I was denying my own needs for the benefit of my clients. Whatever the client wanted was what I gave. Want more pressure? You got it, I’ll strain my forearms for you. Want the room warmer? No problem, I’ll sweat til I swoon. Want a little bit extra on your neck even though I’ve said our time is up? Okay, I'll give you some of my precious break time. Who needs to use the bathroom anyway?

💢Managing the dynamics of the therapist--client relationship is foundational to the wellbeing of both.

If only I’d known all of this 30 years ago.

My Journey Continues as a Teacher
In May 2005, I joined the massage therapy faculty at Northwestern Health Sciences University as a clinic supervisor and classroom teacher, and I'm still there, nearly 20 years later. In my time at Northwestern, I have had the humble pleasure and brilliant joy of teaching and training hundreds of other budding MTs.

These blessed beautiful souls come into school with open hearts and a desire to serve. And I foresee some of the same struggles for them that I experienced, for I am intimately familiar with the psyche of a healer. I am one, and I know our general make-up. I know where we struggle and where we shine. I see these students headed into their professional lives with no clear vision, no support, and little understanding of the challenges ahead.

As I say to them in class, "I want you to have a long, happy, healthy, prosperous massage therapy career." I so want that for all healers, including you! It is absolutely possible! But without professional support, it can be a hard and lonely path.
How I Can Serve You
My holistic healing career has been a winding journey filled with challenges, but I am deeply grateful for it, as I met and served many amazing people, and I learned and grew so much along the way.

But it didn’t have to be so hard, I think. If I'd had a professional mentor & guide, someone to anchor me to a vision and challenge me (with kindness), I would have had a smoother, more fulfilling and prosperous career.
So, I am here to offer you just that--professional support from a man who has walked the territory. And not just the terrain of the outer life of a healer. I've also traveled far and deep inside myself to unearth the roots of my own being--my shadow and my brilliance. Click here to read more about me and my training and experience.

Out of my vast experience & training as a holistic healer, I have created three avenues of support for other healers.

I created this framework of support because I know that there are many holistic healers in the world with great gifts and huge hearts who truly bless the world with their amazing work--and they stumble down the same bumpy road that I traversed. Many throw up their hands in resignation and give up the profession far too soon, simply because they lacked support and perspective. The world is deprived of their gifts, which is sad! I am here to offer a different path.

If you'd like to know how I can support you in creating a holistic healing career that energizes you, fills you with joy, makes an impact, and fills your coffers, click here to learn about my Group & 1~1 programs and services.

It would by my honor to serve you.