Trauma Focused Narrative Group Training: Telling A Truer Story

Cyndi Mesmer, LCPC identifies as a white cisgender, able-bodied, straight woman. She is the clinical director and co-owns, with her husband Steve, The Art of living Counseling Center in Crystal Lake, IL. Cyndi worked as a teacher, supervisor and trainer at The Allender Center in Seattle WA. Cyndi has worked in all levels of care for mental health.
She has about 30 years of experience working with individuals, families and groups. She primarily works with clients working through trauma, both past and present. She sees the world through the lens of story and invites others to engage their stories in a way that brings more freedom and life, both personal and communal. She is a seeker of racial justice and advocate for other oppressed groups believing that there should be equal rights and flourishing for all humans.  You can read more at www.artoflivingcounseling.com

Abby Wong-Heffter identifies as mixed race, body-privileged, cis, and straight. She is a teacher, trainer, consultant and psychotherapist. Abby is a founder of The Allender Center where she trained future therapists and care providers how to engage trauma through the avenue of story. She is also a professor at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology where she created the Concentration in Trauma and Abuse for the Masters of Counseling and Psychology Degree program. She is passionate about joining those who have experienced oppression and marginalization. She seeks empowerment, reconciliation, freedom, and a growing sense of beauty on behalf of her clients and students. Abby is specialized in addressing attachment issues, especially with transracial adoptees. She also focuses on treating adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, seeing that at the core of trauma and exploitation there is often a deep reality of orphanhood. She considers it a great privilege and honor to traverse these often treacherous and stunning paths. You can read more about Abby at www.abbymwong.com

Danielle holds an MA in Counseling in Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in Washington State, story lover, owner of Way-Finding Therapy, podcaster, avid reader, writer, adventurer and advocate.She works and advocates from an anti-oppression lens, holding space for hope, love and repair. She loves the anticipation of Spring and Summer in the Northwest – the long days and sunlight we miss in the dark winters. You can easily find her out on a trail, laughing, cooking with her kids, or working in the yard.If you choose to reach out and we embark on a counseling journey together, it will be one that is co-created. I do not believe that I have all of the answers, nor all of the ideas or intellect to guide you. I trust my body and intuition. I trust your body and intuition. We will work with both narrative and somatic narrative. I believe our bodies tell a story. You can read mine at www.wayfindingtherapy.com

Jenny McGrath, MA, LMHC (she/her) is a somatic psychotherapist,  movement educator, and researcher. She specializes in the impacts of religious trauma and purity culture. Jenny uses movement to help folks grow in relationship to their body and connection to other bodies. She’s developed an online course called The Embodied Sexuality Course that helps individuals learn about the history of purity culture, its impact on the body, and how to have a fuller relationship with their unique sexuality.  Jenny also facilitates weekly movement classes online that engage participant’s connection to their bodies in a safe community. Jenny believes that it is necessary to hold our individual healing in context of collective liberation through anti-racism and anti-oppression consciousness. She is committed to continually learning about her own privileges and bias’, and strives to create inclusive spaces that honor all bodies. Learn more at www.indwellmovement.com