Sister Marcia has ministered in various capacities over the years. She coordinated a Rome renewal program for eight summers, networking with English-speaking Benedictines world- wide. Currently, she is vocation director, provides spiritual direction, and is a staff member for Souljourners, the spiritual direction training program. When time permits, she enjoys making jelly for both the…
Dr. Mark M. McNear is a Licensed Clinical Social Work and maintains a private practice in New Jersey. With over thirty years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. McNear now focuses on helping those who have had trauma, abuse, and addictions in their lives, sharing the hope of healing that he has realized in his…
Several years ago when I started questioning my beliefs, I began to feel lonely because everyone in my circle of friends thought much the same way I did. When I continued to change, it felt like I was wandering out into the Desert. Eventually, I resigned from the church that I was pastoring, and started…
Laci Bean is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach who’s focus is Religious Trauma. Laci went from spending her teen years in a highly controlling religious cult to deconstructing herself all the way out of Christianity in her early 30’s. As she started her journey of deconstruction and healing, she began to share it on Tik…
Seth Showalter is a single gay man who is the proud father of a lively cat by the name of Lizzie. Seth works as a Therapist for a Certified Behavioral Health Organization in the Central Region of Missouri. Seth runs a mental health podcast solo called “Mental Health Uncovered” where he gives people the floor…
Dr. Paul Fitzgerald earned the Doctor of Ministry with research in internalized shame and trauma. For more than 25 years he and his wife, Susanna, have assisted people in wholehearted, authentic living through HeartConnexion Seminars. His professional training includes Inner Relationship Focusing and BioSpiritual Focusing. He is a member of the International Focusing Institute and…
Kicking off this month talking about church harm and mental health. Desert Sanctuary Resources Book: Out Into the Desert Book: The Hotel Book: Being Book: The Being Journey companion guide now! Book: Apparent Faith Website: https://karlforehand.com/ Email: Karl at karl4hand@gmail.com or Laura at lauraforehand64@gmail.com Twitter: @karl4hand
People have always been drawn towards things like religion to try to explain the things we could explain. The ceremonies and communities we built around our understanding and misunderstanding helped us shape some meaning into the world. I believe we can honor those traditions and, sometimes, even memorialize them while boldly and consciously moving into…
Karen Shock’s love for writing began when she got her first diary as a young girl. The lock and key on it made it easy for her to tell the diary some honest, dramatic, truths about herself. Even though Karen is now a 53 year old grandma, she still loves to put pen to paper…
The Desert Sanctuary 