Grace Coleman,

Graduate Student Intern

under the supervision of Tia Jennings, LPC-S

You’ve tried to mask your feelings and hold everything together. You have probably told yourself, “I’ve got this under control”, but your actions say differently. Your version of control has been drinking excessively to relax and calm your nerves. You withdraw from your family so you can decompress, but so far nothing seems to help. You cannot escape the feeling. You can’t outrun the problem. Even though you’re used to being tough, you have finally made the hard decision to finally do something for you…ask for help. As a first responder, you are trained on how to survive, be resilient, strong, to solve others problems, and not show weakness, but what about your problems? When do you get to admit that you need help?

Hi I’m Grace, I am a Therapist Intern pursuing a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My goal is to help you transform your negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions into positive ones to improve your quality of life.

You may be wondering, what does she know about how I feel? How can she help me? How can she understand what I am going through? These are all legitimate questions. I can empathize with you because I have experienced some of the same feelings and dealt with my own mental health issues, grief, and trauma. In my previous profession, I spent 10 years in Law Enforcement. During those ten years, I encountered many difficult and traumatizing situations. I

encountered people at their worst who were going through their battles. I have engaged and responded to calls that have rocked me to the core. Like you, at the end of the night I went home. I now realize that I physically went home, but my mind never did. I had to come to a place of realization that I was not processing the trauma I experienced. So, I did something about it. I got help.

Personally, I have dealt with the loss of a spouse, sibling, and other close family members. It was through those losses that I became all too familiar with grief, depression, and anxiety. Grief does not discriminate, it can affect anyone despite their age, race, gender, or religious belief. It is difficult to navigate because there is no road map. We all grieve and process in our own way. With help, I came to a place of acceptance and healing. Now, my hope is that I can walk alongside you as you do the same.

I am passionate about working with first responders because having been a first responder, I know the challenges you face. I understand the burden you carry. I want to be someone to come alongside you and let you know that you do not have to carry this weight alone. I am equally passionate about working with those who have experienced grief, loss, trauma, depression, and anxiety.

I had someone to walk with me, until I was strong enough to walk by myself. Now, I want to walk with you as you discover your path to healing and growth.

Trauma creates change you don’t choose.

Healing is about creating change you do choose.

- Michelle Rosenthal