Why the Gathering Studio
I’ve always been passionate about helping others find peace and balance in their lives, but my journey became deeply personal in 2008 when I was diagnosed with Hemifacial Spasm, a condition that causes involuntary facial twitching. This experience revealed to me the profound connection between stress, mental health, and overall well-being, igniting within me a commitment to help others manage their own challenges. My healing journey also led me through Rob Reimer’s Soul Care principles, where I embraced the seven transformational steps that reshaped my life.
These principles—Identity, Repentance, Overcoming Family Sin Patterns, Forgiveness, Healing Wounds, Overcoming Fears, and Deliverance—were critical in my own spiritual and emotional restoration. By overcoming each of these steps, I have found God’s calling for my life: to glorify Him by helping others discover their own healing through faith, creativity, and soul care.
Through this process, I recognized the healing power of creativity and nature. This realization inspired the creation of The Gathering Studio—a sanctuary where people can reconnect with themselves and God through creative expression, community, and nature. Whether it’s painting, crafting prayer boards, or planting succulents, our workshops provide a sacred space for those seeking peace, healing, and renewal.
Why I’m Passionate About Helping Others
Having spent over 20 years in property management, I’ve witnessed firsthand the stress and anxiety that can arise in high-pressure environments. Coupled with my personal health challenges, this led me to a deeper desire to offer others the tools and resources they need to manage their stress and anxiety. Through The Gathering Studio’s mobile workshops, I bring soul care and creativity directly to people in their everyday environments, whether it’s in the home, workplace, or at events. My journey through the Soul Care principles strengthened my passion for guiding others in finding their true identity in Christ, offering them a pathway to inner peace and spiritual growth.
How I’m Qualified to Guide You
With over 30 years of professional experience, I hold certifications in Mental Health, Behavioral Health Disorders, and Professional Life Coaching through the American Association of Christian Counseling (AACC). I’m also a licensed nail technician, associate broker, and CAM license holder. As a speaker and writer on stress management, I lead corporate stress management and team-building workshops, especially in property management. I currently serve as the 2024-25 Secretary for NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers) and have been a membership mentor since 2021.
Beyond my professional qualifications, I have been serving in the Soul Care Ministry at Discovery Church in Orlando for the past four years. This experience has deepened my understanding of how to compassionately guide others through spiritual and emotional struggles, using the Soul Care principles that transformed my own life. I am also set to graduate from the University of Central Florida in 2025 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Behavioral Social Science and a minor in Law Studies, further equipping me to support and uplift those who seek balance in their lives. Ultimately, it is by overcoming the seven Soul Care principles that I found my calling to glorify God in all that I do, and through The Gathering Studio, I hope to help others do the same.
What is Hemifacial Spasm
Hemifacial spasm is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, intermittent contractions of the muscles on one side of the face, often caused by irritation or compression of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). This condition results in facial twitching or spasms, which can range from mild to severe, impacting daily activities and quality of life. While the primary cause is typically linked to vascular compression of the facial nerve near the brainstem, external factors like stress, fatigue, and anxiety are known to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of the spasms. Stress, in particular, acts as a significant trigger, amplifying the neural pathways responsible for muscle contraction, thereby worsening the symptoms. Understanding the link between stress and Hemifacial Spasm is essential for managing the condition, as reducing stress can help mitigate the severity of the involuntary movements. Through my own experience, I’ve gained a profound awareness of the intricate relationship between stress and neurological health, which fuels my commitment to promoting mental wellness and soul care in my workshops.